cúpula
“cúpula” means “dome” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
dome
Also: cupola
📝 In Action
La iglesia tiene una cúpula impresionante.
A2The church has an impressive dome.
Subimos a la cúpula para ver el atardecer.
B1We went up to the dome to see the sunset.
El arquitecto diseñó una cúpula de cristal para el patio.
B2The architect designed a glass dome for the courtyard.
leadership, top brass
Also: upper echelons, summit
📝 In Action
La cúpula del partido decidió cambiar de estrategia.
B2The party leadership decided to change strategy.
Hubo una reunión urgente de la cúpula militar.
C1There was an urgent meeting of the military top brass.
Las decisiones se toman en la cúpula de la empresa.
C1Decisions are made at the top of the company.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cúpula
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the most likely place to see a 'cúpula'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'cupula', which means 'small tub' or 'small vat'. It is the diminutive form of 'cupa' (cask/vat).
First recorded: 18th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cúpula' and 'domo' the same thing?
Essentially, yes. 'Domo' is more common in technical or scientific contexts, while 'cúpula' is the standard word used for architecture and figurative leadership.
Why is the leadership called a 'dome'?
It is a metaphor. Just as a dome is the highest point of a building that covers everything below it, the 'cúpula' of a party or company represents the people at the very top who oversee the whole structure.
How do I pronounce the accent in 'cúpula'?
Put extra emphasis on the first syllable: 'KOO-poo-lah'. Since the accent is on the third-to-last syllable, it is called an 'esdrújula' word in Spanish.