What does roundup mean?
A roundup is a compact collection or summary of notable information, most often a group of news stories presented together. The term is especially common in journalism, where a daily or weekly roundup gathers several brief reports under one heading. It can also refer more broadly to a collection or gathering of people, as in a police roundup, while its older rural sense denotes a gathering of cattle or cowboys. The word carries no necessary negative connotation: a news roundup may simply organize several developments for quick attention. Its usefulness lies in conveying both breadth and concision, since it brings multiple items together without requiring the extended treatment of a full article. Though "roundup" and the older spelling "round-up" both occur, the unhyphenated form has become especially familiar in modern news and broadcast language.
nounA brief summary or collection of notable items, especially news stories, features, or information gathered for presentation. It can also refer to a gathering of people, particularly one associated with collecting cattle or rounding up suspects.
- A brief summary or collection of important items, especially news stories.
- A gathering of people for a particular purpose, originally one in which cattle were gathered.
- A broad collection or seizure of people, such as suspects or detainees.
"The morning news roundup brought together the day's most important stories."
"The programme presents a weekly roundup of research and clinical developments."
"The sheriff's office announced a roundup of suspects following the investigation."
Used when referring to multiple summaries, collections, or gatherings.
"The station airs daily roundups of regional news."
What began as a cowboy gathering cattle became one of journalism's most familiar formats: the news roundup.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does roundup come from?
The word developed from the phrasal verb "round up," meaning to gather cattle or bring people together. Its earliest sense referred to a gathering of cattle or cowboys in the western United States. By the early twentieth century, the term had acquired the figurative journalistic sense of a collected summary of news items.
How roundup is actually used
The closed form "roundup" is common in contemporary English, while the hyphenated variant "round-up" is also established. In journalism, the word usually denotes a brief compilation rather than an analysis of a single subject.