circus

noun, often attributive cir·cus \ ˈsər-kəs \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of circus

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

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circusy

play \-kə-sē\ adjective

See circus defined for English-language learners

See circus defined for kids

Examples of circus in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of circus from the Web

This event — at which performers who teach circus arts at camp will perform — is to raise money for homeless kids to attend camp.

— leah garchik, San Francisco Chronicle, "On Castro Street, a ‘showy canopy’ falls down on the job," 8 May 2018
In the main park, two acts have also been added to the circus, which performs twice per night during July and August.

— kit waskom pollard, baltimoresun.com, "What's new in Ocean City for the 2018 beach season," 8 May 2018
The troupe puts on a circus-like performance, with acrobatics flying through the air and groups moving in carefully choreographed dances on the ground.

— anne nickoloff, cleveland.com, "Cirque du Soleil will bring acrobatic 'Corteo' tour to Cleveland this fall (photos)," 7 May 2018
Other animals that call Tigers For Tomorrow home came from zoos, wildlife parks, circuses, sideshows, and facilities that have been shut down for not caring for their animals properly.

— Southern Living, "WATCH: There's An Incredible Organization In Alabama That Rescues & Protects Animals," 1 May 2018
Very little entertainment is truly for all ages, but magic and circus arts — at least the sophisticated kind — fit the bill.

— laurel graeber, New York Times, "8 Things to Do With Your Kids in NYC This Weekend," 12 Apr. 2018
Just before noon, the migrants line up under a striped, circus-like tent in front of the church.

— leyla santiago and khushbu shah, CNN, "Gabriela's quest for safety: Pregnant mom gets her boys through sickness, a trash train and 3,000 miles," 27 Apr. 2018
The documentary goes on to show the circus that became of the legal fight.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "Legal battle made Ezekiel Elliott "stressed out," new Cowboys' documentary shows | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 19 Apr. 2018
The place is an urban circus of vendors squawking out the prices of whole baby sharks and eggplant to those passing by, halal butchers carving up carcasses, and mounds of divine Sicilian pistachios and almonds.

— erin florio, Condé Nast Traveler, "3 Days in Sicily," 16 Apr. 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.

Origin and Etymology of circus

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

circus Synonyms

Synonyms

babel, bedlam, madhouse, three-ring circus;

Near Antonyms

arcadia, heaven, paradise, utopia;

calm, lull, peace, respite;

hush, quiet, silence, stillness;

brouhaha, clamor, clatter, din, hubbub, noise;

chaos, confusion, disarrangement, disarray, disorder, havoc, hell, mess, muss, shambles;

CIRCUS Defined for English Language Learners

circus

noun

Definition of circus for English Language Learners

: a traveling show that is often performed in a tent and that typically includes trained animals, clowns, acrobats, etc.
: a situation or event that is very busy, lively, and confusing and that attracts a lot of attention
: a circular area where several streets meet