circle

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

Updated on: 21 Apr 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

The case has attracted national and international attention in academic circles and among conservative-leaning pundits.

— karen herzog, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Marquette firing of conservative professor gains national spotlight as it hits high court," 16 Apr. 2018
The reasons for this are much debated in international economic circles.

— New York Times, "Trump’s Annoyed About Russian and Chinese Currencies. Should He Be?," 16 Apr. 2018
Next time down the court, LeBron was dribbling in circles when Collison came in from the side and poked the ball away, drawing a foul as LeBron grabbed him in frustration.

— gregg doyel, Indianapolis Star, "Doyel: Once left for dead, Pacers are a secret no more," 15 Apr. 2018
This crashing bore of an idea has actually been discussed in NBA circles.

— bruce jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, "Even without Stephen Curry, All-NBA first team is ridiculously talented," 14 Apr. 2018
Sure, partnering with Target may boost brand recognition and awareness in some circles, but to what end?

— author: abha bhattarai, Anchorage Daily News, "Upscale, downscale: Target draws customers with collaborations with high-end brands," 13 Apr. 2018
Nels Cline 4's 'Currents, Constellations': Best known in music circles for his idiosyncratic contributions as the lead guitarist in Wilco, Cline was an electrified force of nature on the L.A. improvised music scene for years before that.

— chris barton, latimes.com, "Overrated/Underrated: 'The Simpsons' fails fans with Apu, and what's left of Fleetwood Mac," 13 Apr. 2018
Jordan is an immensely popular figure in conservative grass-roots circles but a divisive figure outside of them, making his ascension to the speakership a long shot.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Rep. Jim Jordan, Freedom Caucus co-founder, is exploring run for House speaker," 13 Apr. 2018
The biggest name in Planet X circles is David Meade, whose prediction that Planet X would pass Earth late last year, based on Bible prophecies, kicked off a wave of doomsday theories.

— avi selk, Washington Post, "Just kill us already, Planet X," 13 Apr. 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

Beckham chose a feminine pajama blouse that featured exposed contrast buttons for a neat design detail. Flared and pleated trousers elongated her legs, while her stylish kids circled around her in a mashup of graphic ensembles grounded by sneakers.

— edward barsamian, Vogue, "Victoria Beckham Celebrates Her 44th Birthday With the Entire Beckham Clan," 17 Apr. 2018
The film likes to circle back on itself in intricate ways – references to Psycho inform (in a bleakly funny way) Joe’s relationship with his mother, and show up in Ramsay’s visual presentation of concluding scenes.

— gary thompson, Philly.com, "You Were Never Really Here," 11 Apr. 2018
The New York bred delivered, circling around the tiring pace-setters and past Mississippi, who briefly had inherited the lead.

— tom jicha, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Kentucky Derby hopeful Audible cruises to Florida Derby victory," 1 Apr. 2018
According to a representative for British makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury, there’s a rumor circling around the beauty world that the 36-year-old former Suits actress has a favorite lipstick shade from the pro’s eponymous cosmetics line.

— jillian ruffo, PEOPLE.com, "Meghan Markle Loves This Lipstick (and It's Inspired by a Possible Royal Wedding Guest)," 27 Mar. 2018
Migrants are splayed out on cold concrete floors, huddled beneath sparse tree cover as border agents circle in helicopters above, and lined up in a row, handcuffed, illuminated by the blue lights of police vehicles.

— azam ahmed, New York Times, "Where Fear and Hope Collide: Images From Mexican Border, and Beyond," 25 Mar. 2018
Here's that map, with the Channel Islands circled in red.

— nate chute, Indianapolis Star, "'Jeopardy!' contestant says wager error led to historic sudden-death tiebreaker," 3 Mar. 2018
That event lasted from dawn until dusk, a roughly 14-hour period in which Escobar, Oguri and a pair of brass bands circled the lake, performing at regular intervals.

— carolina a. miranda, latimes.com, "Experimental vocalist Carmina Escobar led an ethereal performance while floating on Echo Park Lake," 31 Jan. 2018
For decades, scientists theorized that circling in the center of galaxies, including ours, were lots of stellar black holes , collapsed giant stars where the gravity is so strong even light doesn’t get out.

— seth borenstein, BostonGlobe.com, "The center of the Milky Way is teeming with black holes," 4 Apr. 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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