circumferential

adjective

cir·​cum·​fer·​en·​tial (ˌ)sər-¦kəm(p)-fə-¦ren(t)-shəl How to pronounce circumferential (audio)
sə-
: of or relating to the circumference especially of a town or city: such as
a
: encircling
circumferential seam weldingIndustrial Equipment News
a circumferential highway around a cityU.S. Code
b
: peripheral, skirting
bypass or circumferential roads to enable through traffic to keep out of citiesNew International Year Book
parkways and circumferential drivesAmerican Builder
these efforts … are nevertheless peripheral, circumferential, apart from the curricular body of knowledge which is central to any educational institutionK. I. Brown
circumferentially
-ch(ə)lē
-li
adverb

Word History

Etymology

Latin circumferentia circumference + English -al

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Cite this Entry

“Circumferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumferential. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.

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