Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - roundabout

(roundabouts) 1. 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) N-COUNT 2. 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) N-COUNT 3. 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) N-COUNT 4. 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. ADJ: usu ADJ n 5. 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. ADJ: usu ADJ n 6. round about: see round swings and roundabouts: see swing