circus

noun, often attributive

cir·cus | \ ˈsər-kəs

Definition of circus

1a : 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

2a : 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

3a obsolete : circle, ring

b British : a usually circular area at an intersection of streets

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Examples of circus in a Sentence

He worked for a small circus. We're going to the circus.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even when the film pulls off an authentically creepy image or potential emotional moment, Nathan Barr’s garish score shoves the audience away from it, and back into the feel of a highly caffeinated circus. — Tasha Robinson, The Verge, "Films like The House With a Clock In Its Walls are poisonous to kids’ cinema," 23 Sep. 2018 To furnish Democrats with another big talk for their divisive circus may actually be a mistake for Republicans. — Fox News, "Women who know Kavanaugh respond to allegations against him," 17 Sep. 2018 So his circus cronies barge into a fancy party, with the Bearded Lady belting this song. — Alex Abad-santos, Vox, "The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show sells a fantasy of empowerment. I sorta believed it.," 3 Dec. 2018 Ever since its debut in 1924, the holiday event has evolved from a two-block procession of circus animals into what is easily our favorite over-the-top spectacular of the year (take that, Super Bowl Halftime Show). — Caitlin Morton, Condé Nast Traveler, "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: 2018 Information and Event History," 21 Nov. 2018 Too clumsy to be featured in the circus elephant act, he is made into a clown instead. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "New trailer for Disney’s live-action Dumbo captures magic of original," 15 Nov. 2018 Nacasa & Partners Inc Wood, for example, is a small cafe built from cedar wood that slopes upward into a circus tent-like tip. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Japanese mountain tunnel becomes art in spectacular architectural installation," 8 Aug. 2018 According to Vogue, Genest came from a circus performance background in Canada, starting off with his own show called Lucifer's Blasphemous Mad Macabre Torture Carnival. — Emily Wang, Allure, "Rick Genest, the Model and Artist Known as Zombie Boy, Has Died," 3 Aug. 2018 In light of this summer's crazy engagement circus...let the proposal countdown begin! 2. — Alison Caporimo, Seventeen, "11 Major Signs Bella Hadid and The Weeknd Are Getting Back Together," 27 July 2018

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