round¹ (round)
adj., round·er, round·est.

1. 1. Being such that every part of the surface or the circumference is equidistant from the center: a round ball.
   2. Moving in or forming a circle.
   3. Shaped like a cylinder; cylindrical.
   4. Rather rounded in shape: the child's round face.
   5. Full in physique; plump: a round figure.
2. 1. Linguistics. Formed or articulated with the lips in a rounded shape: a round vowel.
   2. Full in tone; sonorous.
3. Whole or complete; full: a round dozen.
4. 1. Mathematics. Expressed or designated as a whole number or integer; not fractional.
   2. Not exact; approximate: a round estimate.
5. Large; considerable: a round sum of money.
6. Brought to satisfactory conclusion or completion; finished.
7. 1. Outspoken; blunt: a round scolding.
   2. Done with full force; unrestrained: gave me a round thrashing.

n.

1. 1. Something, such as a circle, disk, globe, or ring, that is round.
   2. A circle formed of various things.
   3. Movement around a circle or about an axis.
2. A rung or crossbar, as one on a ladder or chair.
3. A cut of beef from the part of the thigh between the rump and the shank.
4. An assembly of people; a group.
5. A round dance.
6. 1. A complete course, succession, or series: a round of parties; a round of negotiations.
   2. A course of customary or prescribed actions, duties, or places. Often used in the plural: physicians' rounds.
7. A complete range or extent.
8. One drink for each person in a gathering or group: Let me buy the next round.
9. A single outburst, as of applause or cheering.
10. 1. A single shot or volley.
    2. Ammunition for a single shot or volley.
11. A specified number of arrows shot from a specified distance to a target in archery.
12. Sports & Games. A unit of play that occupies a specified time, constitutes a certain number of plays, or allows each player a turn, especially the 18-hole sequence played in golf or one of the periods in a boxing match.
13. Music. A composition for two or more voices in which each voice enters at a different time with the same melody.

v., round·ed, round·ing, rounds.

v.tr.

1. To make round. See synonyms at bend¹.
2. To encompass; surround.
3. To cause to proceed or move in a circular course.
4. Linguistics. To pronounce with rounded lips; labialize.
5. To fill out; make plump.
6. To bring to completion or perfection; finish.
7. Mathematics. To express as a round number: The number 1.64 can be rounded to 1.6 or to 2.
8. To make a complete circuit of; go or pass around.
9. To make a turn about or to the other side of: rounded a bend in the road.

v.intr.

1. To become round.
2. To take a circular course; complete or partially complete a circuit: racecars rounding into the final lap.
3. To turn about, as on an axis; reverse.
4. To become curved, filled out, or plump.
5. To come to satisfactory completion or perfection.

adv.

1. In a circular progression or movement; around.
2. With revolutions: wheels moving round.
3. To a specific place or person: called round for the pastor; sent round for the veterinarian.

prep.

1. Around.
2. From the beginning to the end of; throughout: a plant that grows round the year.

phrasal verbs:

round on

1. To turn on and assail.

round up

1. To seek out and bring together; gather.
2. To herd (cattle) together from various places.

idioms:

in the round

1. With the stage in the center of the audience.
2. Fully shaped so as to stand free of a background: a sculpture in the round.

make (or go) the rounds

1. To go from place to place, as on business or for entertainment: a delivery truck making the rounds; students going the rounds in the entertainment district.
2. To be communicated or passed from person to person: The news quickly made the rounds. A piece of juicy gossip is going the rounds.

[Middle English, from Anglo-Norman rounde, variant of Old French rond, ultimately from Vulgar Latin *retundus, from Latin rotundus, from rota, wheel.]

roundness round'ness n.

round² (round)
tr.v. Archaic, round·ed, round·ing, rounds.
To whisper.

[Middle English rounden, from Old English rūnian, from rūn, a secret.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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