1. a short poem of fixed form, consisting of 13 or 10 lines on two rhymes and having the opening words or phrase used in two places as an unrhymed refrain
Usage: poetry
2. a musical composition typically for instruments that has a recurring leading theme often in the rondo form
Usage: music

Examples

• The poet crafted a beautiful rondeau about spring flowers.
• Students studied the structure of a rondeau in their literature class.
• The composer wrote a rondeau for piano and violin.
• Her rondeau featured the refrain ‘love endures’ at key moments.
• The baroque rondeau showcased the harpsichord’s melodic capabilities.
• Writing a proper rondeau requires careful attention to rhyme scheme.