gondola

noun

gon·​do·​la
(usual for sense 1)
ˈgän-də-lə How to pronounce gondola (audio) gän-ˈdō- How to pronounce gondola (audio)
1
: a long narrow flat-bottomed boat with a high prow and stern used on the canals of Venice
2
a
: an elongated car attached to the underside of an airship
b
: an often spherical airtight enclosure suspended from a balloon for carrying passengers or instruments
c
: an enclosed car suspended from a cable and used for transporting passengers
especially : one used as a ski lift
3
: a heavy flat-bottomed boat used on New England rivers and on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers
4
: a railroad car with no top, a flat bottom, and fixed sides that is used chiefly for hauling heavy bulk commodities

Illustration of gondola

Illustration of gondola
  • gondola 1

Examples of gondola in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web At the insistence of L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and her allies, the Metro board’s approval of the gondola was contingent on any future Dodger Stadium parking lot development including affordable housing. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The footage also reveals exactly how generations of Venetians continue to keep the unique tradition and craft of gondolas alive in a modern world. Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 An investigation was underway after a visitor said she was stranded in a snow resort gondola overnight in South Lake Tahoe, California. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2024 Outside, in true LV fashion, nearby gondolas have been swathed in the brand’s recognizable motif. Samantha Brooks, Vogue, 7 Jan. 2024 Even though the gondola will not cross above the housing project, both sides have been vying for residents’ support. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024 Skiing Info Deer Valley Resort has 21 lifts — a high-speed four-passenger gondola, 14 high-speed quad lifts, 5 triple chairs, and one double chair — to access its 103 runs. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2024 Here are the Forbes Inspector’s Highlights from the hotel: A gondola — located in the backyard — that allows easier access to the slopes in the winter. Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 19 Feb. 2024 First responders from the South Lake Tahoe department responded to the base of the gondola at 8:28 a.m., George said. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gondola.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian dialect (Venetian), probably from Middle Greek kontoura small vessel

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gondola was in 1549

Dictionary Entries Near gondola

Cite this Entry

“Gondola.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gondola. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

gondola

noun
gon·​do·​la ˈgän-də-lə ( How to pronounce gondola (audio)
usual for sense 1
How to pronounce gondola (audio)
gän-ˈdō-
1
: a long narrow boat with a high prow and stern used on the canals of Venice
2
: a railroad car with low sides and no top used for hauling loose freight
3
: an enclosure that hangs from something: as
a
: the part of a balloon in which passengers or instruments are carried
b
: a car that hangs from a cable and is used especially as a lift for skiers

More from Merriam-Webster on gondola

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