circus

noun

cir·​cus ˈsər-kəs 

often attributive

1

a

: a large arena enclosed by tiers of seats on three or all four sides and used especially for sports or spectacles (such as athletic contests, exhibitions of horsemanship, or in ancient times chariot racing)

b

: a public spectacle

2

a

: an arena often covered by a tent and used for variety shows usually including feats of physical skill, wild animal acts, and performances by clowns

b

: a circus performance

c

: the physical plant, livestock, and personnel of such a circus

d

: something suggestive of a circus (as in frenzied activity, sensationalism, theatricality, or razzle-dazzle)

a media circus

3

a

obsolete : circle, ring

b

British : a usually circular area at an intersection of streets

circusy

ˈsər-kə-sē 

adjective

Synonyms of circus

• madhouse
• bedlam

Examples of circus in a Sentence

He worked for a small circus.

We're going to the circus.

Recent Examples on the Web

Circus Model, a more than 42,000-piece re-creation of an early 20th-century circus. — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 30 June 2026

This fast-paced, 60-minute performance puts a fresh spin on the classic one-ring circus, blending daring feats with playful mischief and Circus Bella’s signature sparkle with the Circus Bella All-Star Band’s live music. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

In 2011, Chairman Bernanke initiated the practice of holding press conferences following every meeting of the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC), which have developed into something of a media circus. — George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

While sharing the media circus with the 23-time Grand Slam champion may help take some external pressure off of Djokovic, his quest for a history-making 25th Grand Slam title will be extremely challenging nonetheless. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, circle, circus — more at circle

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing circus

• circus catch
• circus peanut
• three-ring circus

Rhymes for circus

• quercus

Kids Definition

circus

noun

cir·​cus ˈsər-kəs 

1

: a large arena enclosed by rows of seats (as in ancient Rome)

2

a

: a show that usually travels from place to place and that has a variety of exhibitions including acrobatic feats, wild animal displays, and performances by clowns

b

: a circus performance

c

: the performers and equipment of such a circus

d

: something that suggests a circus

Etymology

from Latin circus "circle, arena"