circle

noun, often attributive cir·cle \ ˈsər-kəl \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Definition of circle

1 a : ring, halo

b : a closed plane (see ⁶plane 2b) curve every point of which is equidistant (see equidistant 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 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 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.

See circle defined for English-language learners

See circle defined for kids

Examples of circle in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of circle from the Web

Diplomatic circles overwhelmingly welcomed the news.

— geoffrey cain, The New Republic, "‘You Should Not Want a Deal Too Badly’," 11 June 2018
Hydrating eyelid products with hyaluronic acid (like Mario Badesco’s) minimize dark circles well.

— adam hurly, GQ, "This Is How Sleep Deprivation Affects Your Appearance," 9 June 2018
The drone arrives overhead with a roar, hovers for a moment, then lowers itself towards the green circle like a mantis, three sets of propellers churning the air into whorls of straw and dust.

— The Economist, "The world's first commercial drone-delivery service takes flight," 9 June 2018
Backed by nearly four decades of coaching experience, Johnson has earned himself a favorable reputation in coaching circles.

— richard morin, azcentral, "Arizona Cardinals' new D-line coach Don Johnson finds a perfect fit with Steve Wilks, staff and players," 9 June 2018
Using a rolling pin, roll out one ball of dough to form a 6-inch circle.

— nik sharma, San Francisco Chronicle, "A Brown Kitchen: Paneer paratha and essential Indian flatbreads," 8 June 2018
People are always looking for ways to hide their under-eye circles — concealer, glitter, sunglasses.

— refinery29.com, "Post Malone Found The Best Way To Hide His Under-Eye Circles," 8 June 2018
Large boulders, a rock water feature and a gravel semi-circle path link the driveway to a wide brick front patio where there once was grass.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "Home-selling etiquette: Lake Oswego homeowner's letter to neighbors (photos)," 8 June 2018
During Trooping the Colour, the regiments carry the Queen’s colors – resplendent in crimson silk and a union flag design with a central gold circle bearing the regiment’s name – along with their own regimental colors.

— erin hill, PEOPLE.com, "It's the Most Royal Day of the Year! All About Trooping the Colour — and Meghan Markle's Debut," 8 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'circle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of circle

Origin and Etymology of circle

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

circle Synonyms

Synonyms

body, bunch, clan, clique, community, coterie, coven, crowd, fold, gang, lot, network, pack, ring, set;

Related Words

charmed circle, elite, in-group;

club, college, fellowship, guild (also gild), league, organization, society;

camp, faction, sect, side, tribe;

mess, squad;

brotherhood, fraternity, order, sisterhood, sodality, sorority;

commune;

alliance, bloc, coalition, confederation, congress, council, federation, union;

circle

verb

Definition of circle

circled; circling play \-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

play \-k(ə-)lər\ noun

See circle defined for English-language learners

Examples of circle in a Sentence

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 of circle from the Web

Daniel’s girlfriend, Aldora, has only recently been released from the hospital and is bedridden — too weak to stand and barely able to speak — with flies circling and cats crawling around her.

— benjamin oreskes, www.latimes.com, "Many people work hard to avoid the homeless. These volunteers embrace them," 7 June 2018
These slower speeds don’t mean the winds circling the eye of the storm are slowing down.

— katie langin, Science | AAAS, "Hurricanes are slowing down, wreaking havoc on coastal communities," 6 June 2018
The saga has turned Ramaswamy into a uniquely divisive figure in an industry more prone to circling wagons than ostracizing pariahs.

— damian garde, STAT, "Sign up for our BIO in 30 Seconds newsletter," 6 June 2018
In 2012, Francisco Javier Gutierrez (Rings) signed on to direct with Tom Hiddleston and Alexander Skarsgard rumored to be circling the project.

— richard newby, The Hollywood Reporter, "Why 'The Crow' Should Not Fly Again," 31 May 2018
The actor is reportedly circling the role of Mysterio, a classic Peter Parker nemesis, in the Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

— yohana desta, HWD, "Almost-Superhero Jake Gyllenhaal Is Reportedly Joining the Spider-Man Universe," 21 May 2018
Sheriff’s deputies are outside a home in the 900 block of E Street while a helicopter circles the area and an officer uses a bullhorn to direct a suspect to come out with hands up early Thursday afternoon.

— Ramona Sentinel, "Deputies direct suspect to exit house," 17 May 2018
But the size of the bill and its complexity present a formidable hurdle, especially during a year with midterm elections and the circling threat of a trade war with China.

— kendra nordin beato, The Christian Science Monitor, "US farm bill: the food stamp showdown," 3 May 2018
Skip the giant parties for now and circle up with a smaller group for a book club, an intimate dinner—something that will foster a deeper conversation or debate.

— catherine urban, Bon Appetit, "Your May Horoscope Knows That What Lies Ahead Is Actually Just Potato Chips," 1 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of circle

see ¹circle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

circle Synonyms

Synonyms

compass, embrace, encircle, enclose (also inclose), encompass, environ, gird, girdle, ring, surround, wreathe;

beset, besiege, entrench (also intrench), invest, swarm;

CIRCLE Defined for English Language Learners

circle

noun

Definition of circle for English Language Learners

: a perfectly round shape : a line that is curved so that its ends meet and every point on the line is the same distance from the center
: a path that goes around a central point
: an arrangement of people or things that forms a circle

circle

verb

Definition of circle for English Language Learners

: to form a circle around (something)
: to draw a circle around (something)
: to move or go around (someone or something) in a circle

CIRCLE Defined for Kids

circle

noun cir·cle \ ˈsər-kəl \

Definition of circle for Students

1 : a line that is curved so that its ends meet and every point on the line is the same distance from the center

2 : something in the form of a circle or part of a circle

We gathered in a circle around the fireplace.

3 : ¹cycle 2, round

The wheel has come full circle.

4 : a group of people sharing a common interest

a reading circle

a circle of friends

circle

verb

Definition of circle for Students

circled; circling

1 : to form or draw a circle around

Circle the correct answers.

2 : to move or revolve around

Satellites circle the earth.

3 : to move in or as if in a circle

Vultures circled overhead.

Medical Dictionary

circle

noun cir·cle \ ˈsər-kəl \

medical Definition of circle

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

Learn More about circle

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for circle Spanish Central: Translation of circle Nglish: Translation of circle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of circle for Arabic speakers

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circle

Definition of circle

Examples of circle in a Sentence

Recent Examples of circle from the Web

Illustration of circle

Origin and Etymology of circle

circle Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

circle

Definition of circle

circler

Examples of circle in a Sentence

Recent Examples of circle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of circle

circle Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to CIRCLE

Related Phrases

CIRCLE Defined for English Language Learners

circle

Definition of circle for English Language Learners

circle

Definition of circle for English Language Learners

CIRCLE Defined for Kids

circle

Definition of circle for Students

circle

Definition of circle for Students

Medical Dictionary

circle

medical Definition of circle

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