circle

1 of 2

noun

cir·​cle ˈsər-kəl 

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

• 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 

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 throng

—Lord 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 beam

—R. O. Bowen

circler

ˈsər-k(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• cirque
• ring
• round
• roundel

Verb

• compass
• embrace
• encircle
• enclose
• inclose
• encompass
• environ
• gird
• girdle
• ring
• surround
• wreathe

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

Demons move in waves over cliffs slick with rain, cultists chanting in perfect circles, pentagrams glowing beneath their feet. —Kazuma Hashimoto, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2025

The idea gained additional attention in right-wing circles after Republican Tennessee Representative Andy Ogles in January proposed changing the Constitution to allow Trump to serve a third term in office. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025

Verb

Several minutes later, the witness said a police helicopter began circling the area, and two officers later hiked up the mountain to the shooting scene to speak with witnesses and look for evidence. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025

Four dolphins died, green water and condemned buildings Concerns over conditions at the park began circling in October when three bottlenose dolphins died in just one week. —Dylan Gentile, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025

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

Phrases Containing circle

• antarctic circle
• arctic circle
• charmed circle
• circle back
• circle graph
• circle the/one's wagons
• crop circle
• dance circle
• dress circle
• full circle
• great circle
• hour circle
• inner circle
• parhelic circle
• parquet circle
• polar circle
• quality circle
• setting circle
• traffic circle
• unit circle
• vertical circle
• vicious circle
• virtuous circle
• winner's circle

Rhymes for circle

• cercle
• encircle
• tubercle
• preopercle
• semicircle

Kids Definition

circle

1 of 2 noun

cir·​cle ˈsər-kəl 

1

a

: ring entry 1 sense 3

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 

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

-k(ə-)lər 

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 

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