circumference

noun

sər-ˈkəm(p)-fərn(t)s How to pronounce circumference (audio)
Definition of circumferencenext
1
as in diameter
the distance around a round body the circumference of the earth at the equator

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in perimeter
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something a silly little affair that's of interest to no one beyond the circumference of this campus

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of circumference The ratio of a person’s waist to hip circumference, or their waist circumference to height are pretty good estimators of their abdominal fat deposits. — Literary Hub, 17 Aug. 2026 The Sierra Club, an environmental nonprofit, is planning to appeal the permits the city issued to remove five trees from the site, including a black olive with a trunk that’s nearly six feet in circumference. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026 Researchers looked at waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 Malnutrition rates were determined by weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) and mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC). — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for circumference
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumference
  1. diameter
  2. perimeter
  3. radius
  4. edge
  5. equator
  6. boundary
  7. rim
  8. border
Noun
  • Working with a team of puppeteers on a set of a certain diameter was a real challenge.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Gicon claims its design could produce roughly twice as much electricity as a conventional turbine with the same rotor diameter.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of diameter
Noun
  • An invite-only Rocket Variant replaces standard features with a single-seat configuration and perimeter thrusters for true flight, rendering it non-road-legal.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Bouquets of flowers, candles and toys line the crosswalk outside the police perimeter in tribute to the victims.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of perimeter
Noun
  • In addition, a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place near the fire zone at a 5-nautical-mile radius, below 3,500 feet.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Within a tight radius there’s an ever-increasing collection of boutiques, full-service spas and wellness facilities, Pilates studios, cafes, bars and restaurants featuring fare from around the globe.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of radius
Noun
  • Details like floor-to-ceiling glass and oak ceilings add to the home’s grandeur, and a fire pit at the edge of the lawn—plus private beach access—are ideal for travelers who want to soak in the salty breeze.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2026
  • For a cold moment the silence locked a grip on our table, though it was broken, at the edges, by the golf commentators moaning and harrumphing, Rory McIlroy having had a canary on a seventeenth fairway somewhere this championship Sunday.
    — Kevin Barry, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • Earth experiences two equinoxes each year — the first in March and the second in September — when the sun crosses the celestial equator, an imaginary line in the sky directly above Earth's equator.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • This is the moment when the sun crosses directly above Earth's equator, moving south into the celestial sphere.
    — Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of equator
Noun
  • Anger can provide useful information, signaling that something is unfair, a boundary has been crossed, or an important goal is being blocked.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • That slight sense of unease, coupled with Faith’s crystalline country voice and boundary-pushing songwriting, is at the core of her record Cherry Valley (and the recent deluxe version, Cherry Valley Forever).
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of boundary
Noun
  • The smart device clamps onto the inner rim of a toilet bowl and uses sensors to analyze waste, tracking things like hydration, gut health, and the presence of blood in the bowl; the device then sends personalized health insights to a companion app.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Antetokounmpo was a force on both ends of the court, using his unique combination of size, athleticism, strength and speed to make plays in the open court and also serve as a rim protector.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of rim
Noun
  • For Choi, the project has also become another demonstration of what her own border-crossing background might make possible.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Not all of that movement happens through official border posts.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of border

Browse Nearby Words

circumambulating
circumference
circumferences
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Circumference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumference. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on circumference

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about circumference

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