A merry-go-round is a type of amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders. It is also known as a carousel, carrousel, roundabout, or hurdy-gurdy. The platform rotates around a fixed center, and the seats are often in the form of animals, such as horses. Children ride on it at a fairground or in a park. The term "merry-go-round" can also be used metaphorically to describe a cycle of activity that is complex, fast-paced, or difficult to break out of.