sur·round
sə-ˈrau̇nd 
surrounded; surrounding; surrounds
1
a(1)
: to enclose on all sides : envelop
the crowd surrounded her
(2)
: to enclose so as to cut off communication or retreat : invest entry 2
b
: to form or be a member of the entourage of
flatterers who surround the king
c
: to constitute part of the environment of
surrounded by poverty
d
: 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
: something (such as a border or ambient environment) that surrounds
from urban centre to rural surround—
Emrys Jones
Emrys JonesExamples of surround in a Sentence
Verb
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.
Noun
the vast, featureless surround of the desert was strangely appealing to him
Recent Examples on the Web
Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
As temperatures in the California deserts begin to rise, so does the anticipation surrounding the 2025 Coachella Music and Arts Festival.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025
Her back is a curved LED screen that becomes part of the constantly shifting surround.
—Kendra Nordin Beato, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surround
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Verb
Not to mention the endless possibilities surrounding our island Postmaster General interacting with the Hostmaster General.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
As temperatures in the California deserts begin to rise, so does the anticipation surrounding the 2025 Coachella Music and Arts Festival.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
Befitting of The Cove’s wellness vibes, lunch at Hideaway to nosh on healthy dishes, smoothies and juices while soaking up the serene surrounds.
—Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025
Her back is a curved LED screen that becomes part of the constantly shifting surround.
—Kendra Nordin Beato, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surround
Cite this Entry
“Surround.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surround. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
surround
1 of 2 verb
sur·round
sə-ˈrau̇nd
: to enclose on all sides : encircle
surround
2 of 2 noun
: something (as a border) that surrounds
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