sur·round
sə-ˈrau̇nd 
surrounded; surrounding; surrounds
1
a(1)
: to enclose on all sides : envelop
the crowd surrounded her
(2)
: to enclose so as to cut off communication or retreat : invest entry 2
b
: to form or be a member of the entourage of
flatterers who surround the king
c
: to constitute part of the environment of
surrounded by poverty
d
: to extend around the margin or edge of : encircle
a wall surrounds the old city
2
: to cause to be surrounded by something
surrounded himself with friends
: something (such as a border or ambient environment) that surrounds
from urban centre to rural surround—
Emrys Jones
Emrys JonesExamples of surround in a Sentence
Verb
A wall surrounds the old city.
They had the suspect surrounded.
She was suddenly surrounded by a crowd of excited fans.
There's a lot of uncertainty surrounding the decision.
His departure was surrounded by secrecy.
Noun
the vast, featureless surround of the desert was strangely appealing to him
Recent Examples on the Web
Valeria Kogan, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
As a result, buyers in these high-cost areas are often forced into much smaller properties or to look to surrounding suburbs where prices might be more manageable.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2025
Perhaps its most enviable detail, however, was the stunning wood-burning fireplace that sat in a corner of the living room, with an intricate brick surround that stretched up to the second floor.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surround
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Verb
The devastating flooding in Valencia and its surrounding areas is a prime example.
—Valeria Kogan, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
As a result, buyers in these high-cost areas are often forced into much smaller properties or to look to surrounding suburbs where prices might be more manageable.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
But the new copy released nationwide via Janus has been finished in crisp digital 4K with a new 5.1 surround soundtrack.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2025
Perhaps its most enviable detail, however, was the stunning wood-burning fireplace that sat in a corner of the living room, with an intricate brick surround that stretched up to the second floor.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surround
Cite this Entry
“Surround.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surround. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
surround
1 of 2 verb
sur·round
sə-ˈrau̇nd
: to enclose on all sides : encircle
surround
2 of 2 noun
: something (as a border) that surrounds
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