circus

noun

cir·​cus ˈsər-kəs 

often attributive

1

a

: a large arena enclosed by tiers of seats on three or all four sides and used especially for sports or spectacles (such as athletic contests, exhibitions of horsemanship, or in ancient times chariot racing)

b

: a public spectacle

2

a

: an arena often covered by a tent and used for variety shows usually including feats of physical skill, wild animal acts, and performances by clowns

b

: a circus performance

c

: the physical plant, livestock, and personnel of such a circus

d

: something suggestive of a circus (as in frenzied activity, sensationalism, theatricality, or razzle-dazzle)

a media circus

3

a

obsolete : circle, ring

b

British : a usually circular area at an intersection of streets

circusy

ˈsər-kə-sē 

adjective

Synonyms

• madhouse
• bedlam

Examples of circus in a Sentence

He worked for a small circus.

We're going to the circus.

Recent Examples on the Web

Good morning from Los Angeles, On a circus of a night at Dodger Stadium, the home team emptied out its clown car full of pitchers to beat the Padres once again. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025

President Trump and his flying circus are about to meet the consequences of unleashing krakens in their first 100 days. —Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

In it, three magician brothers reunite from the circus world for one last impossible heist: stealing a priceless twin mummy from an impenetrable fortress to save their family legacy. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 16 June 2025

Emergent forms of mass media—newspaper, magazines, national advertising campaigns, mail-order catalogs, even touring circuses and western shows—also made the nation more culturally connected. —Literary Hub, 9 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, circle, circus — more at circle

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing circus

• circus catch
• circus peanut
• three-ring circus

Rhymes for circus

• quercus

Kids Definition

circus

noun

cir·​cus ˈsər-kəs 

1

: a large arena enclosed by rows of seats (as in ancient Rome)

2

a

: a show that usually travels from place to place and that has a variety of exhibitions including acrobatic feats, wild animal displays, and performances by clowns

b

: a circus performance

c

: the performers and equipment of such a circus

d

: something that suggests a circus

Etymology

from Latin circus "circle, arena"