# gondola

/ˈɡɑndəɫə/ (US) · /ɡəndˈəʊlɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gondola
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a small, flat-bottomed boat used for traveling on water. You often see them in Venice, Italy, where they are pulled by people or small motors.

For teachers: a flat-bottomed boat, typically used for transport or recreation on canals or rivers. Often associated with Venice, where it is the traditional means of transport.

## Examples

- We took a gondola ride through the narrow canals.
- While modern ferries have largely replaced the gondola for daily commutes, the traditional vessel remains a vital part of Venice's cultural identity and a primary tourist attraction.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.