arrondissement

[ uh-ron-dis-muh nt, ar-uh n-dees-; French a-rawn-dees-mahn ]
/ əˈrɒn dɪs mənt, ˌær ənˈdis-; French a rɔ̃ disˈmɑ̃ /

noun, plural ar·ron·disse·ments [uh-ron-dis-muh nts; French a-rawn-dees-mahn] /əˈrɒn dɪs mənts; French a rɔ̃ disˈmɑ̃/.

the largest administrative division of a French department, comprising a number of cantons.
an administrative district of certain large cities in France.

Origin of arrondissement

1800–10; < French, equivalent to arrondiss- (variant stem of arrondir to round out; see a-5, round1) + -ment -ment

Words nearby arrondissement

arroba, arrogance, arrogance of power, arrogant, arrogate, arrondissement, arrow, arrow arum, arrowgrass, arrowhead, arrowroot

British Dictionary definitions for arrondissement

arrondissement
/ (French arɔ̃dismɑ̃) /

noun (in France)

the largest administrative subdivision of a department
a municipal district of certain cities, esp Paris

Word Origin for arrondissement

C19: from arrondir to make round, from ab- 1 + -rondir from rond round