circumstance

noun cir·cum·stance \ ˈsər-kᵊm-ˌstan(t)s , -stən(t)s \

Definition of circumstance

1 a : a condition, fact, or event accompanying, conditioning, or determining another : an essential or inevitable concomitant

the weather is a circumstance to be taken into consideration

b : a subordinate or accessory (see ²accessory 2) fact or detail

cost is a minor circumstance in this case

c : a piece of evidence that indicates the probability or improbability of an event (such as a crime)

the circumstance of the missing weapon told against him

the circumstances suggest murder

2 a : the sum of essential and environmental factors (as of an event or situation)

constant and rapid change in economic circumstance
—G. M. Trevelyan

b : state of affairs : eventuality

open rebellion was a rare circumstance

—often used in plural

a victim of circumstances

c circumstances plural : situation with regard to wealth

he was in easy circumstances

rose from difficult circumstances

3 : attendant formalities and ritualistic display especially as contrasted with essential procedure

pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war
—William Shakespeare

4 : an event that constitutes a detail (as of a narrative or course of events)

considering each circumstance in turn

See circumstance defined for English-language learners

See circumstance defined for kids

Examples of circumstance in a Sentence

I can't imagine a circumstance in which I would do that.
The circumstances of his death are suspicious.
She says that her client is a victim of circumstance and should not be blamed for the accident.
He was a victim of circumstances.

Recent Examples of circumstance from the Web

Last year there was a lot of circumstances (with the Panthers).

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "Hangover, The Sequel: Panthers empathize with Falcons’ post-Super Bowl season, but ...," 30 Oct. 2017
From a star, this requires a rather particular set of circumstances: the star itself has to rotate rapidly, and its magnetic poles have to be offset a bit from its axis of rotation, just as the Earth's magnetic poles aren't at the geographic poles.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Star’s magnetic field could turn habitable-zone planets into magma soup," 27 Oct. 2017
The circumstances of the four deaths in Niger remain mysterious, with key questions – like whether American soldiers diverted from their mission – still unanswered.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Deaths in Niger Prompt Rare Questions About Broader US Mission," 21 Oct. 2017
Humans are innately bad at making choices even under the best of circumstances (see also: Nudge, above), and in the age of Instagram, most of us are tempted to shop all the time.

— charlotte cowles, The Cut, "9 Books About Money That Every Woman Should Read," 20 Oct. 2017
Economists have a term for a situation like this, where one option is better than another under any circumstances, dominance.

— richard h. thaler, New York Times, "Why So Many People Choose the Wrong Health Plans," 4 Nov. 2017
Stricter cultural authorities are weakened by circumstance, and practices like female genital mutilation are harder to execute in this environment.

— annabelle timsit, The Atlantic, "Exile in Uganda and Victory in Raqqa: The Week in Global-Affairs Writing," 3 Nov. 2017
The Maddocks questions, modified some depending on the circumstances, are on an extensive NFL concussion gameday checklist.

— david humphrey, star-telegram, "It’s not your name that counts. It’s knowing where you are," 3 Nov. 2017
Under normal circumstances, groups of two or three whales tend to dive in synchrony across tens of square kilometers to hunt for food.

— elizabeth pennisi, Science | AAAS, "Hundreds of humpback whales are massing in a tiny spot of ocean. Here’s why," 27 Oct. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of circumstance

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin circumstantia, from circumstant-, circumstans, present participle of circumstare to stand around, from circum- + stare to stand — more at stand

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

circumstance Synonyms

Synonyms

affair, episode, event, happening, incident, occasion, occurrence, thing;

Related Words

coincidence, fluke, freak;

landmark, milepost, milestone, page, phenomenon, turning point;

adventure, experience, time;

happenchance, happenstance;

accident, crisis, emergency, juncture;

achievement, deed, exploit, feat;

news, tidings;

Synonym Discussion of circumstance

occurrence, event, incident, episode, circumstance mean something that happens or takes place. occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan.

- an encounter that was a chance occurrence

event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

- the events following the assassination

incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.

- a minor wartime incident

episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident.

- a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

circumstance implies a specific detail attending an action or event as part of its setting or background.

- couldn't recall the exact circumstances

CIRCUMSTANCE Defined for English Language Learners

circumstance

noun

Definition of circumstance for English Language Learners

: a condition or fact that affects a situation
circumstances : the way something happens : the specific details of an event
: an event or situation that you cannot control

CIRCUMSTANCE Defined for Kids

circumstance

noun cir·cum·stance \ ˈsər-kəm-ˌstans \

Definition of circumstance for Students

1 : a fact or event that affects a situation

Illness is the only circumstance that will excuse your absence.

2 circumstances plural : conditions at a certain time or place

Under the circumstances, I think we did well.

3 circumstances plural : the way something happens

Please explain the circumstances of the accident.

4 circumstances plural : the conditions in which someone lives

“When the Lord puts us in certain circumstances He doesn't mean for us to imagine them away.”
—Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

5 : an uncontrollable event or situation

a victim of circumstance

Law Dictionary

circumstance

noun cir·cum·stance

legal Definition of circumstance

1 a : a condition, fact, or event accompanying, conditioning, or determining another

must state with particularity the circumstances constituting fraud or mistake
—Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 9(b)

b : a piece of evidence that indicates the probability or improbability of an event

a statement…offered to exculpate the accused is not admissible unless corroborating circumstances clearly indicate the trustworthiness of the statement
—State v. Lopez, 764 P.2d 1111 (1988)