roundabout

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round|about /r'aʊndəbaʊt/ (roundabouts)
1 [N-COUNT]
A roundabout is a circular structure in the road at a place where several roads meet. You drive round it until you come to the road that you want. (BRIT; in AM, use traffic circle)
2 [N-COUNT]
A roundabout at a fair is a large, circular mechanical device with seats, often in the shape of animals or cars, on which children sit and go round and round. (BRIT; in AM, use merry-go-round, carousel)
3 [N-COUNT]
A roundabout in a park or school play area is a circular platform that children sit or stand on. People push the platform to make it spin round. (BRIT; in AM, use merry-go-round)
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you go somewhere by a roundabout route, you do not go there by the shortest and quickest route.
He left today on a roundabout route for Jordan and is also due soon in Egypt.
5 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you do or say something in a roundabout way, you do not do or say it in a simple, clear, and direct way.
We made a bit of a fuss in a roundabout way.
6
round about: see round
swings and roundabouts: see swing

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