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 Following initial Russian setbacks in the attempt to encircle Ukraine from three sides and capture Kyiv, Putin announced a partial mobilization in September 2022. Nathan Hodge, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 This performance is not surprising given the on-ear design, which does not encircle and seal off your ears. PCMAG, 17 Mar. 2024 Tents were clustered together and encircled by alleys, forming little neighborhoods. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 By early February Russian troops were close to encircling the city and cutting the last two roads out. Oleksandr Chubko Lynsey Addario, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 The couple share top billing in the Spanish Colonial encircled by a lush garden with a clowder of cats largely descended from Hemingway’s original six-toed pet, Snow White. Elaine Glusac, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2024 Russia had been concentrating its efforts on encircling Avdiivka and gaining control of nearby areas. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2024 As Russian forces seek to encircle and capture Avdiivka, considered the key to full control of two provinces in the Donbass region, Ukraine has rushed in veteran units, including the crack Third Assault Brigade, while redeploying other units to more defensible positions. Katya Soldak, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 Russia is trying to encircle and capture Avdiivka nearly two years after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Kyiv’s foothold in the town appears increasingly shaky, with its supply lines threatened. Reuters, NBC News, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'encircle.' 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

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 29 Mar. 2024.

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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