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
Daniel Hunt
january 5, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
If surrounding trees are contributing to harmful debris buildup in your AC unit, pruning overhanging branches or removing the trees might be necessary to protect the unit.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
James Raia, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
Instead, multiple 72-inch interior screens allow nine passengers the choice of enjoying the view outside via cameras embedded along the exterior, engaging in a video conference, or watching entertainment in a surround-sound environment.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surround
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Verb
About 45 first responders — including Nevada County sheriff’s deputies, search and rescue teams and fire agencies from the surrounding area — were dispatched after a 911 call reported a snowmobiler missing in the backcountry near Truckee.
—Daniel Hunt
january 5, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
If surrounding trees are contributing to harmful debris buildup in your AC unit, pruning overhanging branches or removing the trees might be necessary to protect the unit.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
Enjoy the ride while listening to the 17-speaker, 1,220-watt Burmester surround-sound system.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
Instead, multiple 72-inch interior screens allow nine passengers the choice of enjoying the view outside via cameras embedded along the exterior, engaging in a video conference, or watching entertainment in a surround-sound environment.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 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 7 Jan. 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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