cir·cu·lar
ˈsər-kyə-lər 
1
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
: a paper (such as a leaflet) intended for wide distribution
Synonyms
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
Dan Falk, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024
Seconds later, before the door can even fully close behind him, a huge, circular saw blade can be seen barrelling across the parking lot, lodging itself into the side of the building where Reimche had been just seconds before.
—USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
In the center of this membrane was a single circular pore about 100 nanometers wide.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2024
Tannin Manor’s towering 20-foot ceilings become immediately apparent from the grand entrance where heated hardwood floors, a circular staircase, and Gothic-like decor greet you.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2024
This feeder also has five feeding ports in the shape of red flowers and a circular perch, too.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
Wearing a bow tie, pocket handkerchief, crop top and shorts, Jenny Slate stands on a shiny circular platform on the distressed BAM Harvey theater stage.
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Each team of two has up to three hits to return or spike the ball on the small, circular net.
—Deanna McCormack, Parents, 19 Mar. 2024
Inspired by the traditional circular homes in the Casamance region in the south of Senegal, the museum is a colossal 150,000-square-foot, four-floor architectural marvel that rivals any global national museum.
—Funmi Fetto, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2024
Peter Guest, WIRED, 26 Mar. 2024
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
Adjective
Brodgar is almost perfectly circular, spanning some 300 feet.
—Dan Falk, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024
Seconds later, before the door can even fully close behind him, a huge, circular saw blade can be seen barrelling across the parking lot, lodging itself into the side of the building where Reimche had been just seconds before.
—USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
In the center of this membrane was a single circular pore about 100 nanometers wide.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2024
Tannin Manor’s towering 20-foot ceilings become immediately apparent from the grand entrance where heated hardwood floors, a circular staircase, and Gothic-like decor greet you.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2024
This feeder also has five feeding ports in the shape of red flowers and a circular perch, too.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
Wearing a bow tie, pocket handkerchief, crop top and shorts, Jenny Slate stands on a shiny circular platform on the distressed BAM Harvey theater stage.
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Each team of two has up to three hits to return or spike the ball on the small, circular net.
—Deanna McCormack, Parents, 19 Mar. 2024
Inspired by the traditional circular homes in the Casamance region in the south of Senegal, the museum is a colossal 150,000-square-foot, four-floor architectural marvel that rivals any global national museum.
—Funmi Fetto, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2024
Noun
Two years later, it was expanded to fill the area bounded by the North and South circulars.
—Peter Guest, WIRED, 26 Mar. 2024
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
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.
Dictionary Entries Near circular
Cite this Entry
“Circular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circular. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
circular
1 of 2 adjective
cir·cu·lar
ˈsər-kyə-lər
1
: having the form of a circle : round
a circular driveway
2
: passing or going around in a circle
circular motion
4
: sent around to a number of persons
a circular letter
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
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