cir·cu·lar
ˈsər-kyə-lər 
1
2
a
: of or relating to a circle or its mathematical properties
a circular arc
b
: having a circular base or bases
a circular cylinder
3
4
: marked by or moving in a cycle
5
: being or involving reasoning that uses in the argument or proof a conclusion to be proved or one of its unproved consequences
6
: intended for circulation
a circular letter
: a paper (such as a leaflet) intended for wide distribution
Synonyms
Examples of circular in a Sentence
Adjective
That planet has a more circular orbit than our planet does.
a rather circular discussion of the problem that never addresses it directly
Noun
According to the circular, eggs are on sale this week.
promptly tosses out those advertising circulars that come in the newspaper
Recent Examples on the Web
Fortune Editors, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024
In our most successful version, a square lattice of circular holes is shifted a quarter wavelength from a second square lattice of elliptical holes.
—Susumu Noda, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2024
The vent has to have a roughly circular shape with sides of the same height in order for the ring shapes to form, according to National Geographic.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024
An ordinary kitchen colander can easily be used to view a solar eclipse in the same way as other projector viewers; the colander's circular holes project crescent images of the sun onto the ground.
—The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2024
Consider the absolute simplest case: a tiny circular hole with a tiny red light.
—Rhett Allain, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
Burritos stand out because of their circular tortilla is wrapped and not folded, according to Brittanica.com.
—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024
An expert level of craftsmanship was required to build and install the sleekly curvilinear wooden cabinetry, and some imagination was required to conceive and construct a pair of overlapping circular islands that are bisected by a frameless wall of glass.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Brodgar is almost perfectly circular, spanning some 300 feet.
—Dan Falk, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024
Peter Guest, WIRED, 26 Mar. 2024
This circular outlines the requirements for authorizing the public offerings of investment funds with exposure to virtual assets.
—Sean Lee, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
Aside from the Sussexes, the royal family has yet to comment on what’s happening in Ukraine, but the court circular showed that Prince William visited MI6 on Wednesday and met with the Defense Secretary yesterday.
—Emily Burack, Town & Country, 25 Feb. 2022
Old school marketers will delight to learn that the second highest rated in being very effective was the store’s weekly circular, reinforcing the need for retailers (and brands) to include their health messaging both in print and on digital circulars to reach all generations of shoppers.
—Phil Lempert, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
Your family members might be spending their time after dinner on Thanksgiving sifting through circulars in search of deals this coming Black Friday.
—Ron Hart, SPIN, 22 Nov. 2023
Earlier this year, the United States Department of Health and Human Services Cybersecurity Taskforce issued a circular to provide resources and training to help fight the rising tide of cyber-threats specific to healthcare.
—Sai Balasubramanian, M.d., J.d., Forbes, 17 July 2023
The Ministry of Health confirmed the details in the circular on Saturday.
—Godfrey Marawanyika, Bloomberg.com, 3 June 2023
As with many of us, Robin Proudie’s daily routine includes checking her mailbox and sifting through the usual assortment of bills, advertising circulars, and requests from charitable organizations to find that rare missive that might be of special interest.
—Riley Robinson, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 June 2023
Adjective
Organizations will continue to utilize technology to move on the journey towards a decarbonized future and a more circular economy.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024
In our most successful version, a square lattice of circular holes is shifted a quarter wavelength from a second square lattice of elliptical holes.
—Susumu Noda, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2024
The vent has to have a roughly circular shape with sides of the same height in order for the ring shapes to form, according to National Geographic.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024
An ordinary kitchen colander can easily be used to view a solar eclipse in the same way as other projector viewers; the colander's circular holes project crescent images of the sun onto the ground.
—The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2024
Consider the absolute simplest case: a tiny circular hole with a tiny red light.
—Rhett Allain, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
Burritos stand out because of their circular tortilla is wrapped and not folded, according to Brittanica.com.
—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024
An expert level of craftsmanship was required to build and install the sleekly curvilinear wooden cabinetry, and some imagination was required to conceive and construct a pair of overlapping circular islands that are bisected by a frameless wall of glass.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Brodgar is almost perfectly circular, spanning some 300 feet.
—Dan Falk, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024
Noun
Two years later, it was expanded to fill the area bounded by the North and South circulars.
—Peter Guest, WIRED, 26 Mar. 2024
This circular outlines the requirements for authorizing the public offerings of investment funds with exposure to virtual assets.
—Sean Lee, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
Aside from the Sussexes, the royal family has yet to comment on what’s happening in Ukraine, but the court circular showed that Prince William visited MI6 on Wednesday and met with the Defense Secretary yesterday.
—Emily Burack, Town & Country, 25 Feb. 2022
Old school marketers will delight to learn that the second highest rated in being very effective was the store’s weekly circular, reinforcing the need for retailers (and brands) to include their health messaging both in print and on digital circulars to reach all generations of shoppers.
—Phil Lempert, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
Your family members might be spending their time after dinner on Thanksgiving sifting through circulars in search of deals this coming Black Friday.
—Ron Hart, SPIN, 22 Nov. 2023
Earlier this year, the United States Department of Health and Human Services Cybersecurity Taskforce issued a circular to provide resources and training to help fight the rising tide of cyber-threats specific to healthcare.
—Sai Balasubramanian, M.d., J.d., Forbes, 17 July 2023
The Ministry of Health confirmed the details in the circular on Saturday.
—Godfrey Marawanyika, Bloomberg.com, 3 June 2023
As with many of us, Robin Proudie’s daily routine includes checking her mailbox and sifting through the usual assortment of bills, advertising circulars, and requests from charitable organizations to find that rare missive that might be of special interest.
—Riley Robinson, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'circular.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near circular
Cite this Entry
“Circular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circular. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
circular
1 of 2 adjective
cir·cu·lar
ˈsər-kyə-lər
1
: having the form of a circle : round
a circular driveway
2
: passing or going around in a circle
circular motion
4
: sent around to a number of persons
a circular letter
circular
2 of 2 noun
: a printed notice or advertisement given or sent to many people
Medical Definition
circular
adjective
cir·cu·lar
ˈsər-kyə-lər
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