dome

[ dohm ]

noun

1. Architecture.
   1. a vault, having a circular plan and usually in the form of a portion of a sphere, so constructed as to exert an equal thrust in all directions.
   2. a domical roof or ceiling.
   3. a polygonal vault, ceiling, or roof.
2. any covering thought to resemble the hemispherical vault of a building or room:

   the great dome of the sky.

3. anything shaped like a hemisphere or inverted bowl.
4. (in a dam) a semidome having its convex surface toward the impounded water.
5. Crystallography. a form having planes that intersect the vertical axis and are parallel to one of the lateral axes.
6. Geology. upwarp.
7. Also called vistadome. Railroads. a raised, glass-enclosed section of the roof of a passenger car, placed over an elevated section of seats to afford passengers a full view of scenery.
8. Horology. an inner cover for the works of a watch, which snaps into the rim of the case.
9. a mountain peak having a rounded summit.
10. Slang. a person's head:

    I wish I could get the idea into that thick dome of yours.

verb (used with object)

, domed, dom·ing.

1. to cover with or as if with a dome.
2. to shape like a dome.

verb (used without object)

, domed, dom·ing.

1. to rise or swell as a dome.

dome

/ dəʊm; ˈdəʊmɪkəl; ˈdɒm- /

noun

1. a hemispherical roof or vault or a structure of similar form
2. something shaped like this
3. crystallog a crystal form in which two planes intersect along an edge parallel to a lateral axis
4. a slang word for the head
5. geology
   1. a structure in which rock layers slope away in all directions from a central point
   2. another name for pericline

verb

1. to cover with or as if with a dome
2. to shape like a dome

dome

/ dōm /

1. A circular or elliptical area of uplifted rock in which the rock dips gently away, in all directions, from a central point.
2. A wedge-shaped mineral crystal that has two nonparallel, similarly inclined faces that intersect along a plane of symmetry.

Derived Forms

• domical, adjective
• ˈdomeˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• domelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dome¹

1505–15; < Middle French dome < Italian duomo < Medieval Latin domus ( Deī ) house (of God), church; akin to timber

Word History and Origins

Origin of dome¹

C16: from French, from Italian duomo cathedral, from Latin domus house

Example Sentences

She told MPs that this included a “foetal skeleton posed under a glass dome, a human thigh bone turned into a cane, a human jawbone necklace and the varnished skull of a six-year-old”.

From BBC

The BBC tried to contact the people behind the star dome breaks but has yet to receive a reply.

From BBC

And, on defence, Trump said he would build an “iron dome missile defence shield” around America, implying greater spending in this area, not cuts.

From BBC

Built in 2021, the abolitionist pods are autonomously irrigated, solar-powered geodesic domes that serve as hubs for community empowerment and healing.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s more expensive to access the dome which has three decks and an array of tables, high-top seats and booths, where food and drinks are served.

From Los Angeles Times