circumambulate

verb

cir·​cum·​am·​bu·​late ˌsər-kəm-ˈam-byə-ˌlāt How to pronounce circumambulate (audio)
circumambulated; circumambulating

transitive verb

: to circle on foot especially ritualistically
circumambulation noun

Examples of circumambulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Visitors circumambulate the gallery, opening gray stall doors and finding sculptures inside. Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 12 July 2024 Trying to stay upright while circumambulating these tilted, towering forms induced vertigo. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 The stupas’ projecting platforms and pillars were decorated with narrative scenes so devotees circumambulating the stupas (always in a clockwise direction) could familiarize themselves with stories that illustrate Buddhist precepts. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2023 An aerial view of Muslim pilgrims circumambulating the Grand Mosque in September 2017. Eva Dou, WSJ, 31 July 2018 Hajj pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site, located in the center of the Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Aug. 22, 2017. Laignee Barron, Time, 7 Mar. 2018 The minimum of wall text is an invitation to circumambulate. A.j. Goldmann, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin circumambulatus, past participle of circumambulare, from Latin circum- + ambulare to walk

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of circumambulate was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near circumambulate

Cite this Entry

“Circumambulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumambulate. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on circumambulate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!