gondola Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a low flat-bottomed freight car with fixed sides but no roof
    gondola car.
  2. noun long narrow flat-bottomed boat propelled by sculling; traditionally used on canals of Venice
  3. noun the compartment that is suspended from an airship and that carries personnel and the cargo and the power plant
    car.

WordNet

Gon"do*la noun
Etymology
It., dim. of gonda a gondola; cf. LL. gandeia a kind of boat, Gr. a drinking vessel; said to be a Persian word; cf. F. gondole gondola, cup.
Definitions
  1. A long, narrow boat with a high prow and stern, used in the canals of Venice. A gondola is usually propelled by one or two oarsmen who stand facing the prow, or by poling. A gondola for passengers has a small open cabin amidships, for their protection against the sun or rain. A sumptuary law of Venice required that gondolas should be painted black, and they are customarily so painted now.
  2. A flat-bottomed boat for freight. U. S.
  3. A long platform car, either having no sides or with very low sides, used on railroads. U. S.

Webster 1913