encircle

verb

en·​cir·​cle in-ˈsər-kəl How to pronounce encircle (audio)
en-
encircled; encircling; encircles

transitive verb

1
: to form a circle around : surround
2
: to pass completely around
encirclement noun

Examples of encircle in a Sentence

A crowd of reporters encircled the mayor. communication satellites encircling the earth
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Driving the news: Hamas armed militants released the three hostages in the center of Gaza City with hundreds of cheering Palestinians encircling the cars. Barak Ravid, Axios, 19 Jan. 2025 More lights hang from the balconies of the buildings and encircle a towering Christmas tree at the entrance. Caroline Reid, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025 Still to come in the same space is Lilo, an intimate 22-seat fine-dining concept where diners encircle an open kitchen. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 14 Jan. 2025 What To Know Moscow has recently advanced to the southwest of Pokrovsk, moving to encircle the logistics hub and approach the border with the country's Dnipropetrovsk region, Western analysts and Ukrainian officials have said. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for encircle 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enserclen

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of encircle was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near encircle

Cite this Entry

“Encircle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encircle. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

encircle

verb
en·​cir·​cle in-ˈsər-kəl How to pronounce encircle (audio)
1
: to form a circle around : surround
2
: to go completely around
encirclement noun

More from Merriam-Webster on encircle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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