Crossroads vs. Roundabout — What's the Difference?

A road that intersects another road.

A roundabout is a type of round (about) intersection or junction in which road traffic is permitted to flow in one direction around a central island, and priority is typically given to traffic already in the junction.Engineers use the term modern roundabout to refer to junctions installed after 1960 that incorporate various design rules to increase safety. Both modern and non-modern roundabouts, however, may bear street names or be identified colloquially by local names such as circle, road circle, traffic circle, rotary, rotunda or island.

A place where two or more roads meet.

A road junction at which traffic moves in one direction round a central island to reach one of the roads converging on it.

A small, usually rural community situated at an intersection of two or more roads

A large revolving device in a playground, for children to ride on.

A place that is centrally located

Not following a short direct route; circuitous

A crucial point

Indirect; circuitous

Plural of crossroad

Characterized by indirectness, evasiveness, or vagueness

A place where one road crosses another; an intersection of two or more roads.

A short, close-fitting jacket.

(by extension) A centrally located position

A merry-go-round.

(by analogy) A decision point; a turning point or opportunity to change direction, course, or goal.

A traffic circle.

(nonstandard) A fork in the road.

Indirect, circuitous, or circumlocutionary.

A community of people smaller than a village

Encircling; enveloping; comprehensive.

A crisis situation or point in time when a critical decision must be made;

A road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island.

A point where a choice must be made;

A horizontal wheel which rotates around a central axis when pushed and on which children ride, often found in parks as a children's play apparatus.

A fairground carousel.

A detour.

A short, close-fitting coat or jacket worn by men or boys, especially in the 19th century.

(archaic) A round dance.

To play on a roundabout (carousel)

To travel round roundabouts

To talk in a roundabout, indirect manner

Circuitous; going round; indirect; as, roundabout speech.

Encircling; enveloping; comprehensive.

A large horizontal wheel or frame, commonly with wooden horses, etc., on which children ride; a merry-go-round; a carousel.

A dance performed in a circle.

A short, close jacket worn by boys, sailors, etc.

A state or scene of constant change, or of recurring labor and vicissitude.

A traffic circle.

A road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island;

Large mechanical apparatus with seats for children to ride on

Marked by obliqueness or indirection in speech or conduct;

Deviating from a straight course;