rounding

American  

[roun-ding] / ˈraʊn dɪŋ /

adjective

1. round or nearly round.

2. of, relating to, or used for making something round.

3. turning, curving, or circling around.

4. pertaining to the mathematical process of rounding.

   a rounding error.

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noun

1. the act or process of making something round.

2. Mathematics.

   1. the process of replacing a number by another number of approximately the same value but having fewer digits.

      To the nearest dollar, the rounding of $27.68 yields $28.

   2. a similar process that specifies one of various rules. Generally, the number is first truncated to one or two digits more than is desired; then the last one or two digits are adjusted in a specified way in order to reflect the magnitude of the original number. In rounding the final digits, 0–4 are simply dropped, 6–9 are dropped after the preceding digit is increased by 1, and 5 is handled in various ways depending on the surrounding digits and the particular convention being followed.

rounding British  

/ ˈraʊndɪŋ /

noun

1. computing a process in which a number is approximated as the closest number that can be expressed using the number of bits or digits available

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Etymology

Origin of rounding

First recorded in 1545–55; round ¹ + -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

There was a pinpoint header for the opener, a trademark channel run and rounding of Lize Kop for the second, and a press and poach from the Spurs goalkeeper's error for the third.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

He posted seven home runs, 32 RBI and a .269/.407/.900 slash line over his 36 games in the Dodgers organization, rounding out his season at double-A Tulsa.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

That’s a rounding error in the federal fisc.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

It’s barely even what you’d call a rounding error.

From Slate • Feb. 5, 2026

“You did what?” said Boaz, rounding on Daniel, who still wouldn’t look at him.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Related Words

• bend
• loop