A carousel is a rotating platform with seats, usually shaped like horses or other animals, that goes around in circles while playing music. You might see a carousel at an amusement park, carnival, or shopping mall. Children sit on the colorful horses, which move gently up and down as the whole platform spins. The horses are often beautifully painted and decorated, and calliope music (a cheerful organ sound) typically plays while the carousel turns.

Carousels became popular in America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many of the oldest carousels are now considered works of art because skilled craftspeople carved each wooden horse by hand. Some historic carousels still operate today, giving modern kids the same magical ride their great-great-grandparents enjoyed.

The word can also describe anything that goes around in circles repeatedly. An airport baggage carousel is the rotating conveyor belt where you pick up your luggage after a flight. In digital contexts, a carousel might be a slideshow that cycles through images on a website, with each photo appearing briefly before the next one rotates into view.