cul-de-sac

noun

ˈkəl-di-ˌsak How to pronounce cul-de-sac (audio)
ˈku̇l-;
ˌkəl-di-ˈsak,
ˌku̇l-
plural cul-de-sacs ˈkəl-di-ˌsaks How to pronounce cul-de-sac (audio)
ˈku̇l-;
ˌkəl-di-ˈsaks,
ˌku̇l-
also culs-de-sac ˈkəl(z)-di-ˌsak How to pronounce cul-de-sac (audio)
ˈku̇l(z)-;
ˌkəl(z)-di-ˈsak,
ˌku̇l(z)-
1
: a blind diverticulum or pouch
2
: a street or passage closed at one end
Our house is located on a quiet cul-de-sac.
3
: blind alley
If your job is a cul-de-sac, you have to quit or accept the fact that your career is over.Seth Godin

Examples of cul-de-sac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The site of Erickson Field became a cul-de-sac, 1st Court. Paul Eisenberg, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2024 Loading your audio article The oldest meeting house in California for the Religious Society of Friends — also known as the Quakers — is tucked away on a cul-de-sac in San Jose next to Interstate 880. Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 23 July 2024 Provincetown This two-bedroom contemporary home is tucked into a cul-de-sac just outside Provincetown's famed historic district. The Week Staff, theweek, 23 July 2024 Eilis is middle-aged now, and a mother, settled with her husband Tony in a cul-de-sac populated entirely by his extended Italian American family on Long Island. Constance Grady, Vox, 20 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for cul-de-sac 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cul-de-sac.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, bottom of the bag

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cul-de-sac was in 1738

Dictionary Entries Near cul-de-sac

Cite this Entry

“Cul-de-sac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cul-de-sac. Accessed 3 Aug. 2024.

Kids Definition

cul-de-sac

noun
ˈkəl-di-ˌsak,
ˈku̇l-
plural cul-de-sacs
ˈkəl-di-ˌsaks,
ˈku̇l-
also culs-de-sac
ˈkəl(z)-di-ˌsak,
ˈku̇l(z)-
: a street or passage closed at one end

Medical Definition

1
: a blind diverticulum or pouch
also : the closed end of such a pouch
2

More from Merriam-Webster on cul-de-sac

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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