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

Example Sentences

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
However, a discoloration could be seen on the aircraft's distinctive, circular rotodome above its fuselage that could be damage. Susie Blann, ajc, 1 Mar. 2023 Satellite photos Tuesday from Planet Labs PBC and Maxar Technologies appeared to show the plane largely intact, with discoloration on the circular rotodome above its fuselage that could represent damage. Susie Blann, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Mar. 2023 Investigators also said a fuse was attached to the circular compound. Greg Wallace, CNN, 1 Mar. 2023 The moon is perfectly framed in the circular opening overhead. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 28 Feb. 2023 Diners, from their deep circular booths and padded leather chairs, look at one another, not the cooks. Pete Wells, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2023 Gift your grad shades that will actually stand out – like this circular tortoiseshell pair. Samantha Olson, Seventeen, 28 Feb. 2023 The en-suite bathroom is extremely modern with sleek black finishes, a circular mirror, a rain shower, and flattering lighting. Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2023 The successor to last year’s Magic4 Pro, the phone has a similarly large circular rear camera bump. Jon Porter, The Verge, 27 Feb. 2023
Noun
Aldi has Butterball whole frozen turkeys at $1.07 a pound, according to its Wednesday grocery circular, with a limit of 2. H-E-B is giving away Riverside turkeys of up to 12 pounds with the purchase of an H-E-B spiral sliced ham. Dallas News, 3 Nov. 2022 Cars approaching roundabouts merge onto the circular. Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Jan. 2023 The Kardashians star bid for the piece — which features square-cut amethysts accented by circular-cut diamonds weighing in at 5.25 carats — and eventually snagged it for $197,453 within the last five minutes. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 18 Jan. 2023 The regular sale price, according to the sale circular, was 99 cents per pound. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 27 Nov. 2022 That was the year Abraham Lincoln helped write a campaign circular for the Whig Party that laid out a plan for identifying and mobilizing individual voters. Natasha Singer, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2022 The Straits Times — citing a circular from Singapore Air — reported that pregnant cabin crew will still be placed on leave without pay. Angus Whitley, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2022 Prince William, 40, met Alastair Martin, the secretary of the estate at Kensington Palace, the court circular, a record of royal duties, says. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 11 Oct. 2022 The program from Sovereignty Company will ultimately remain diverse, inclusive, equitable, and circular within the fashion community. Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 5 July 2022 See More

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

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 24 Mar. 2023.

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

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