Definition

Noun: 1. A large, conical canvas tent, specifically the main tent of a circus: The term "round top" refers to the traditional, large circular tent that houses the main performance area and audience seating for a circus. It is synonymous with the "big top."

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The colorful round top could be seen from miles away, signaling that the circus had come to town.
  • Under the vast round top, the audience gasped as the acrobats performed high above.
  • Setting up the round top was a major task for the circus crew.

Advanced Usage

• "the round top": Often used with the definite article "the" to refer specifically to the main circus tent as a singular, iconic structure.
  • The show always begins when the ringmaster enters under the round top.

Variants and Related Words

• Big top (noun): The most common synonym for "round top," referring to the main circus tent.
• Circus tent (noun): A more general term for any tent used by a circus, which may include the round top/big top as well as smaller side tents.

Synonyms

• Big top
• Main tent
• Circus tent

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To run away to join the circus: To impulsively leave one's current life for a romanticized idea of circus life, which is intrinsically linked to the image of the round top.
  • When he was a boy, he often dreamed of running away to join the circus and performing under the round top.

Noun

1. a canvas tent to house the audience at a circus performance
   • he was afraid of a fire in the circus tent
   • they had the big top up in less than an hour