circular

1 of 2

adjective

cir·​cu·​lar ˈsər-kyə-lər How to pronounce circular (audio)
1
a
: having the form of a circle : round
a circular orbit
b
: moving in or describing a circle or spiral
a circular staircase
2
a
: of or relating to a circle or its mathematical properties
a circular arc
b
: having a circular base or bases
a circular cylinder
3
4
: marked by or moving in a cycle
5
: being or involving reasoning that uses in the argument or proof a conclusion to be proved or one of its unproved consequences
6
: intended for circulation
a circular letter
circularity noun
circularly adverb
circularness noun

circular

2 of 2

noun

: a paper (such as a leaflet) intended for wide distribution

Examples of circular in a Sentence

Adjective That planet has a more circular orbit than our planet does. a rather circular discussion of the problem that never addresses it directly Noun According to the circular, eggs are on sale this week. promptly tosses out those advertising circulars that come in the newspaper
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Inside this trailer we’re greeted by a trio of deer heads sitting around a circular dining room table. Jonah Gercke, SPIN, 15 Mar. 2024 The shuttle is greyhound-fast, whipping around a small circular track in a sinusoidal pattern. Alden Wicker, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024 The aft is home to a giant dining table and circular sofa that can both seat 10, while the bridge deck sports a wet bar with BBQ. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024 One player on each team serves as the striker and attempts to fly their drone through a circular goalpost to earn points. Gideon Kimbrell, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2024 That’s where the circular economy comes to the fore. Carmen Ene, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Organizations will continue to utilize technology to move on the journey towards a decarbonized future and a more circular economy. Fortune Editors, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024 Alberta’s chemical and plastic industry is also evolving into a low-carbon, circular economy. Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2024 Designed for wet or dry exfoliating, just scrub your body in circular motions with the 100% nylon fibers to retexture skin, unclog pores, and reduce ingrown hairs. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
This circular outlines the requirements for authorizing the public offerings of investment funds with exposure to virtual assets. Sean Lee, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024 Aside from the Sussexes, the royal family has yet to comment on what’s happening in Ukraine, but the court circular showed that Prince William visited MI6 on Wednesday and met with the Defense Secretary yesterday. Emily Burack, Town & Country, 25 Feb. 2022 Old school marketers will delight to learn that the second highest rated in being very effective was the store’s weekly circular, reinforcing the need for retailers (and brands) to include their health messaging both in print and on digital circulars to reach all generations of shoppers. Phil Lempert, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Your family members might be spending their time after dinner on Thanksgiving sifting through circulars in search of deals this coming Black Friday. Ron Hart, SPIN, 22 Nov. 2023 Earlier this year, the United States Department of Health and Human Services Cybersecurity Taskforce issued a circular to provide resources and training to help fight the rising tide of cyber-threats specific to healthcare. Sai Balasubramanian, M.d., J.d., Forbes, 17 July 2023 The Ministry of Health confirmed the details in the circular on Saturday. Godfrey Marawanyika, Bloomberg.com, 3 June 2023 As with many of us, Robin Proudie’s daily routine includes checking her mailbox and sifting through the usual assortment of bills, advertising circulars, and requests from charitable organizations to find that rare missive that might be of special interest. Riley Robinson, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 June 2023 But the blingiest objects are two LED strips, one vertical and the other circular and suspended from the ceiling. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 21 Apr. 2023

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

Adjective

Middle English circuler, from Middle French, from Late Latin circularis, from Latin circulus circle

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of circular was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near circular

Cite this Entry

“Circular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circular. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

circular

1 of 2 adjective
cir·​cu·​lar ˈsər-kyə-lər How to pronounce circular (audio)
1
: having the form of a circle : round
a circular driveway
2
: passing or going around in a circle
circular motion
3
4
: sent around to a number of persons
a circular letter
circularity noun
circularly adverb

circular

2 of 2 noun
: a printed notice or advertisement given or sent to many people

Medical Definition

circular

adjective
cir·​cu·​lar ˈsər-kyə-lər How to pronounce circular (audio)
: manic-depressive
especially : bipolar sense 3
the exalted phase of the mental circular state Havelock Ellis

More from Merriam-Webster on circular

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