cul-de-sac
noun
ˈkəl-di-ˌsak 
ˈku̇l-;
ˌkəl-di-ˈsak,
ˌku̇l-
plural cul-de-sacs
ˈkəl-di-ˌsaks
ˈku̇l-;
ˌkəl-di-ˈsaks,
ˌku̇l-
also culs-de-sac
ˈkəl(z)-di-ˌsak
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
Seth GodinExamples of cul-de-sac in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
During the second week of his trial period, while ripping at the end of yet another featureless cul-de-sac, Colvin hit the wall.
—Brendan I. Koerner, WIRED, 13 Jan. 2025
The couple’s beloved cul-de-sac also became home to New York Times bestselling cookbook author and chef Molly Baz and her architect husband Ben Willett, as well as composer Meara O’Reilly and her filmmaker husband Isaiah Saxon.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Jan. 2025
In a cul-de-sac along Alta Crest Drive, where more than a dozen homes burned, neighbors wept together in the street.
—Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
Soon other neighbors on his cul-de-sac evacuated too.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cul-de-sac 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brendan I. Koerner, WIRED, 13 Jan. 2025
The couple’s beloved cul-de-sac also became home to New York Times bestselling cookbook author and chef Molly Baz and her architect husband Ben Willett, as well as composer Meara O’Reilly and her filmmaker husband Isaiah Saxon.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Jan. 2025
In a cul-de-sac along Alta Crest Drive, where more than a dozen homes burned, neighbors wept together in the street.
—Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
Soon other neighbors on his cul-de-sac evacuated too.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cul-de-sac
Articles Related to cul-de-sac
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 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
cul-de-sac
noun
plural culs-de-sac
ˈkəl(z)-, ˈku̇l(z)-, ˌkəl(z)-, ˌku̇l(z)-
also cul-de-sacs
-ˌsaks, -ˈsaks
also cul-de-sacs
-ˌsaks, -ˈsaks
1
: a blind diverticulum or pouch
also
: the closed end of such a pouch
2
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share