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
Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The cousins, along with employees Dana Snyder and Betty Smith, work surrounded by antiques from the company’s long history, while communicating with major brands and filling orders for consumers across the world.
—Gabriella Fine, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2026
Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
There are also plenty of premium material options to choose from, as well as a standard Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound audio system.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surround
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Verb
Linderbaum, a Pro Bowl selection in each of the past three seasons, signed a three-year, $81 million deal with the Raiders at the start of free agency, which added additional intrigue to the commotion surrounding Baltimore’s abandonment of the Crosby trade.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The cousins, along with employees Dana Snyder and Betty Smith, work surrounded by antiques from the company’s long history, while communicating with major brands and filling orders for consumers across the world.
—Gabriella Fine, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
Seeing the documentary in the theatre, with the surround-sound and giant screen, was thrilling for everyone, but especially the players and coaches who lived the moment.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
There are also plenty of premium material options to choose from, as well as a standard Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound audio system.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surround
Cite this Entry
“Surround.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surround. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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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