dome: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to Formal, with technical usage in architecture.
Quick answer
What does “dome” mean?
A large, rounded roof or ceiling, typically hemispherical in shape, often crowning a building.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, rounded roof or ceiling, typically hemispherical in shape, often crowning a building.
Any rounded, vaulted structure resembling such a roof; a natural or architectural feature with a rounded top; figuratively, a place or realm under a particular influence (e.g., 'sports dome').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. US English more commonly uses 'dome' for large sports stadiums with roofs (e.g., Astrodome).
Connotations
In both, connotes grandeur, monumentality, or a distinctive architectural feature. In US, sports/event 'domes' have a strong cultural association with 20th-century stadium design.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to the naming of sports arenas and the 'geodesic dome' (associated with US inventor Buckminster Fuller).
Grammar
How to Use “dome” in a Sentence
the dome of N (the dome of the cathedral)a dome of N (a dome of glass)dome over N (the dome over the reading room)N with a dome (a building with a dome)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dome” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The architect proposed to dome the central courtyard with an ETFE membrane.
- The hill was domed with ancient earthworks.
American English
- They plan to dome the new stadium to allow year-round events.
- Her hair was domed perfectly by the stylist.
adverb
British English
- The roof arched dome-like over the exhibition hall.
American English
- The hill rose dome-shaped above the plain.
adjective
British English
- The building's domed ceiling was adorned with frescoes.
- They admired the domed shape of the igloo.
American English
- The domed stadium hosted the Super Bowl.
- He has a characteristically domed forehead.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in property development or venue management ('renovating the dome arena').
Academic
Common in architecture, history, art history, and geology (e.g., 'salt dome', 'lava dome').
Everyday
Describing prominent buildings (churches, capitals) or large stadiums.
Technical
Specific in architecture (drum, pendentive, oculus), geology, and engineering (pressure dome).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dome”
- Using 'dome' for any large roof (must be distinctly rounded/vaulted).
- Pronouncing as /dɒm/ instead of /dəʊm/ or /doʊm/.
- Misspelling as 'doom'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While most common for architecture, it's also used in geology (lava dome, salt dome) and even biology (e.g., describing the shape of a skull or a jellyfish).
A cupola is a smaller, often ornamental structure topping a roof or dome, sometimes lantern-shaped. A dome is the larger, primary roof structure.
Yes, though less common. It means 'to cover with or shape like a dome' (e.g., 'The building is domed in glass').
Yes, notably for sports stadiums (Astrodome, Silverdome) and geographical features (Dome Mountain, Ice Dome).
A large, rounded roof or ceiling, typically hemispherical in shape, often crowning a building.
Dome is usually neutral to formal, with technical usage in architecture. in register.
Dome: in British English it is pronounced /dəʊm/, and in American English it is pronounced /doʊm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “under the dome (in the stadium/arena)”
- “live under a dome (be isolated/protected)”
- “the dome of heaven/sky (poetic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DOME rhymes with HOME – imagine a grand home with a huge, round roof.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A COVERING DOME (e.g., 'a dome of security'); THE HEAD/SKULL IS A DOME (e.g., 'his bald dome').
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'lava dome' specifically used?