gondola

[ gon-dl-uh gon-doh-luh ]

noun

1. a long, narrow, flat-bottomed boat having a tall, ornamental stem and stern and sometimes a small cabin for passengers, rowed or poled by a single person who stands at the stern, facing forward: used especially on the canals of Venice, Italy.
2. a passenger compartment suspended beneath a balloon or airship. Compare car ¹( def 4 ).
3. an enclosed cabin suspended from an overhead cable, used to transport passengers up and down a ski slope or over scenic or treacherous terrain.
4. Also called gondola car. an open railroad freight car with low sides, for transporting bulk freight and manufactured goods.
5. a truck whose bed or trailer is a hopper, as for transporting mixed cement.
6. a freestanding structure for displaying merchandise in a retail establishment, as a supermarket.
7. a chair or couch having a gondola back.

gondola

/ ˈɡɒndələ /

noun

1. a long narrow flat-bottomed boat with a high ornamented stem and a platform at the stern where an oarsman stands and propels the boat by sculling or punting: traditionally used on the canals of Venice
2. 1. a car or cabin suspended from an airship or balloon
   2. a moving cabin suspended from a cable across a valley, etc
3. a flat-bottomed barge used on canals and rivers of the US as far west as the Mississippi
4. a low open flat-bottomed railway goods wagon
5. a set of island shelves in a self-service shop: used for displaying goods
6. a broadcasting booth built close to the roof over an ice-hockey arena, used by commentators

Word History and Origins

Origin of gondola¹

1540–50; < Italian < Venetian, probably < Medieval Greek kontoúra small boat used in coastal navigation, noun use of feminine of kóntouros short, clipped, literally, dock-tailed, equivalent to Late Greek kont ( ós ), kond ( ós ) short + Greek -ouros -tailed, adj. derivative of ourá tail

Word History and Origins

Origin of gondola¹

C16: from Italian (Venetian dialect), from Medieval Latin gondula, perhaps ultimately from Greek kondu drinking vessel

Example Sentences

And when in Venice, he warned readers regretfully, “Stay away from gondolas; they cost as much as $3 an hour!”

From New York Times

Riders will occupy enclosed gondolas that will provide views of the working port, the USS Iowa battleship, the Vincent Thomas Bridge and passing cruise ships.

From Los Angeles Times

She cited plans for a gondola at the city-owned ski area, updates to the downtown sea walk and increased visitor capacity at the popular Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area.

From Seattle Times

He is the force behind the proposed gondola from Union Station to Dodger Stadium, where he retains half-ownership of the parking lots surrounding the stadium.

From Los Angeles Times

The show is set in the sweet small town of Deerfield, where everyone attends elaborate local festivals and enjoys the garish Italian restaurant where you can sit in a gondola.

From New York Times

Related Words

• barge
• canoe
• catamaran
• craft
• dinghy
• raft
• sailboat
• schooner
• ship
• yacht