A gondola can refer to different things depending on the context. Here are some possible meanings:

1. Venetian rowing boat: A gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian lagoon. It is typically propelled by a gondolier, who uses a rowing oar, which is not fastened to the hull, in a sculling manner.

2. Aerial lift: A gondola can also refer to an aerial lift, which is a container in which passengers travel, especially one hung from a thick wire which moves up a mountain.

3. Retail display: In retail, a gondola is a free-standing unit used to display merchandise. It can be adapted to display goods on both sides, or at either end of the row. The most-used way of displaying product on a gondola is shelves.

It is important to note that the most common meaning of gondola is the Venetian rowing boat.