A roundabout is a circular intersection where traffic flows continuously in one direction around a central island. Instead of stopping at traffic lights or stop signs, drivers enter the circle when there's a gap, travel partway around it, and exit onto their desired street. Roundabouts are common in Europe and becoming more popular in America because they keep traffic moving smoothly and reduce serious accidents.

The word also describes an indirect or long-winded way of saying something. When your friend takes a roundabout route to ask if they can borrow your bike (first mentioning the weather, then talking about exercise, then finally getting to the point), they're not being direct. A roundabout explanation circles around the main idea instead of stating it clearly.

In British English, a roundabout is also what Americans call a merry-go-round or carousel: that circular playground equipment that spins around while kids hold on tight. Whether you're talking about traffic circles, indirect communication, or playground equipment, the connecting idea is movement in circles rather than straight lines.