encircle

verb

en·​cir·​cle in-ˈsər-kəl 

en-

encircled; encircling; encircles

transitive verb

1

: to form a circle around : surround

2

: to pass completely around

encirclement

in-ˈsər-kəl-mənt 

en-

noun

Synonyms of encircle

• circle
• traverse
• orbit

Examples of encircle in a Sentence

A crowd of reporters encircled the mayor.

communication satellites encircling the earth

Recent Examples on the Web

The paint color that encircles the wallpaper is important, but Chloe Redmond Warner says the bread should be the least exciting part of this sandwich. — Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026

The pendant, which is encircled by diamonds, also includes a heart between the initials. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 3 Aug. 2026

Strnad wanted to subvert that arrangement and instead encircle the entire audience in a ring of stagecraft. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026

Lining the outer cell membrane, at the base of the cilia, were simple structures, each encircled by a single membrane. — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 27 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enserclen

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for encircle

• cercle
• circle
• preopercle
• semicircle
• tubercle

Kids Definition

encircle

verb

en·​cir·​cle in-ˈsər-kəl 

1

: to form a circle around : surround

2

: to go completely around

encirclement

-mənt 

noun