circle

1 of 2

noun

cir·​cle ˈsər-kəl How to pronounce circle (audio)
often attributive
1
a
: ring, halo
b
: a closed plane (see plane entry 6 sense 2b) curve every point of which is equidistant (see equidistant sense 1) from a fixed point within the curve
c
: the plane surface bounded by such a curve
2
archaic : the orbit of a celestial body
3
: something in the form of a circle or section of a circle: such as
a
: diadem
b
: an instrument of astronomical observation the graduated (see graduated sense 2a) limb of which consists of an entire circle
c
: a balcony or tier of seats in a theater
d
: a circle formed on the surface of a sphere by the intersection of a plane that passes through it
circle of latitude
e
: rotary sense 2
Traffic slowed down around the circle.
4
: an area of action or influence : realm
within the circle of probability
5
a
: cycle, round
the wheel has come full circle
b
: fallacious reasoning in which something to be demonstrated is covertly assumed
6
: a group of persons sharing a common interest or revolving about a common center
the sewing circle of her church
family circle
the gossip of court circles
political, social, and literary circles
7
: a territorial or administrative division or district
The province is divided into nine circles.
8
: a curving side street
lived on Kimberly Circle
9
: a circular course or path
The children ran in circles around the tree.
The conversation kept going in circles, and nothing got accomplished.

Illustration of circle

Illustration of circle
  • AB diameter
  • C center
  • CD CA CB radii
  • EKF arc on chord EF
  • EFKL (area) segment on chord EF
  • ACD (area) sector
  • GH secant
  • TPM tangent at point P
  • EKFBPDA circumference

circle

2 of 2

verb

circled; circling ˈsər-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce circle (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to enclose in or as if in a circle
The teacher circled the misspelled words.
2
: to move or revolve around
satellites circling the earth

intransitive verb

1
a
: to move in or as if in a circle
The airplane circled around over the airport.
b
: circulate
thy name shall circle round the gaping throngLord Byron
c
: to circle around before making an attack
sharks circling in the water
2
: to describe or extend in a circle
the lighthouse sent out its slow steady circling beamR. O. Bowen
circler noun

Examples of circle in a Sentence

Noun She drew a circle around the correct answer. We formed a circle around the campfire. He looked old and tired, with dark circles under his eyes. She has a large circle of friends. She is well-known in banking circles. Verb He circled his arms around his wife's waist. His arms circled around his wife's waist. She circled the correct answer. The pilot circled the airport before landing. The halfback circled to the left.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Then the women wandered over to the beanbags and pulled them into circles, where most sat staring into the distance, until a crying child arrived, demanding attention. Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2024 In some circles on the right, an invitation to tour with Mr. Yon has become something of a golden ticket, promising access on the ground and publicity upon return. Ken Bensinger Federico Rios, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 In some circles, wearing a fur coat (real or faux) is seen as a sort of transgression—a willful disregard of animal cruelty. Shelcy Joseph, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024 In more recent years, Hackintosh machines with the right components could even run circles around Apple Silicon Macs. Chris Welch, The Verge, 19 Mar. 2024 Drum circles, particularly on the equinoxes and solstices, are a ritual in many cultures for the community to come together, welcome the new season, and speak their prayers for the coming months. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 19 Mar. 2024 Sometimes the only way to do that is by hiding what is wrong from your kids and others in your circle. Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 The practice originated in U.S. government and military circles during the 1960s as a way to anticipate threats from the Soviet Union. IEEE Spectrum, 15 Mar. 2024 After this initial attack, the killer whale circles the great white shark to ensure the animal won't try to bite her or other pod members. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024
Verb
China is in the process of developing a high-hypersonic weapons system that can circle most of the globe before striking. Sassie Duggleby, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 In other words, SpaceX is trying to create a gas station in space, circling Earth at the same dizzying speeds as space stations and satellites. Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2024 The 2,000-square-foot interior is filled to the brim with awesomeness that circles the kitchen to the open space in the living room and upstairs. Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024 Park along Lake Hollywood Drive and then walk down to the lake, passing through a gate to access the paved road that circles the water. Michael Charboneau, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Sophie and West have circled each other for four novels, but their love story is well worth the wait. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024 Both hands circle the clock face at 60 seconds per minute. IEEE Spectrum, 29 Feb. 2024 Our plane circled Gaza City to watch the parachutes’ trajectory. Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Mar. 2024 Bushnell’s death circled the world with seismic ripples. Doris Bittar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'circle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English cercle, from Anglo-French, from Latin circulus, diminutive of circus circle, circus, from or akin to Greek krikos, kirkos ring; akin to Old English hring ring — more at ring

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of circle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near circle

Cite this Entry

“Circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circle. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

circle

1 of 2 noun
cir·​cle ˈsər-kəl How to pronounce circle (audio)
1
b
: a line segment that is curved so that its ends meet and every point on the line is equally far away from a single point inside
c
: the flat surface enclosed by a circle
2
: something in the form of a circle
a traffic circle
3
: cycle entry 1 sense 2a, round
the wheel had come full circle
4
: a group of people sharing a common interest
our circle of friends

circle

2 of 2 verb
circled; circling -k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce circle (audio)
1
: to enclose in or as if in a circle
circle the correct answer
the trees circling our little house
2
: to move or revolve around
the pilot circled the field
satellites circling the earth
3
: to move in or as if in a circle
the quarterback circled to the left
circler noun
Etymology

Noun

Middle English cercle "circle," from early French cercle (same meaning), derived from Latin circus "circle, ring, arena"

Medical Definition

circle

noun
cir·​cle ˈsər-kəl How to pronounce circle (audio)
1
a
: a closed plane curve every point of which is equidistant from a fixed point within the curve
b
: the plane surface bounded by such a curve
2
: something (as an anatomical part) in the form of a circle or section of a circle
an arterial circle
see circle of willis

More from Merriam-Webster on circle

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