surround

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verb sur·round \sə-ˈrau̇nd\

Definition of surround

transitive verb
1a (1) : to enclose on all sides : envelop the crowd surrounded her (2) : to enclose so as to cut off communication or retreat : investb : to form or be a member of the entourage of flatterers who surround the kingc : to constitute part of the environment of surrounded by povertyd : to extend around the margin or edge of : encircle a wall surrounds the old city
2 : to cause to be surrounded by something surrounded himself with friends

See surround defined for English-language learners

See surround defined for kids

Examples of surround in a Sentence

A wall surrounds the old city.
They had the suspect surrounded.
She was suddenly surrounded by a crowd of excited fans.
There's a lot of uncertainty surrounding the decision.
His departure was surrounded by secrecy.

Origin and Etymology of surround

Middle English, to flood, inundate, from Anglo-French surunder, from Late Latin superundare, to overflow, from Latin super- + unda wave; influenced in meaning by ⁵round — more at water

First Known Use: circa 1616

surround

noun sur·round

Definition of surround

: something (such as a border or ambient environment) that surrounds from urban centre to rural surround — Emrys Jones

See surround defined for English-language learners

Examples of surround in a Sentence

the vast, featureless surround of the desert was strangely appealing to him

1893

First Known Use of surround

1893

SURROUND Defined for English Language Learners

surround

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verb

Definition of surround for English Language Learners

: to be on every side of (someone or something)
: to move close to (someone or something) on all sides often in order to stop a person from escaping
: to be closely related or connected to (something)

surround

noun

Definition of surround for English Language Learners

: a border or an area that is around the outside edge of something

SURROUND Defined for Kids

surround

play

verb sur·round \sə-ˈrau̇nd\

Definition of surround for Students

surrounded

;

surrounding

1 : to enclose on all sides : encircle A fence surrounds the property.
2 : to be closely related or connected to … my actions will help to dispel this terrible myth of evil that seems to surround rats everywhere. — Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux

Word Root of surround

The Latin word unda, meaning “wave,” gives us the root und. Words from the Latin unda have something to do with waves. To undulate is to move up and down like a wave. To inundate is to cover with a flood of waves. To surround, or encircle on all sides, is to enclose as if by waves. To abound is to be plentiful, like waves in the ocean.