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

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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 Before getting one, measure the circumference of your pet’s neck. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 All but one of the other circumference measurements were between 4 4⁄8 and 5 inches. — Richard P. Smith, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026 Should people be measuring their waist circumference in addition to knowing their BMI? — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 The numbers were similar for women in the study, for whom 35 inches (89 cm) was the defining limit for a large waist circumference. — Mike McRae 24, New Atlas, 24 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
  • The piece was 2 inches in diameter and weighed 6 ounces, NASA said on social media late Friday.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The team used a small laser beam — about one-tenth the diameter of a human hair — to analyze the tiny grains and crystals inside of the samples.
    — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of diameter
Noun
  • The 8-foot fence will wrap around the park's perimeter, which has been in the spotlight after a series of drug enforcement crackdowns this year.
    — Laurie Perez, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
  • But overall the Blue Devils struggled with perimeter shooting for the third time this season, going 9 for 29 from long range.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of perimeter
Noun
  • Nvidia has now launched an independent investigation into his affair, while the government continues to assess the blast radius of the scandal.
    — Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Only about 30% of appeals submitted in the past came from residents living within that radius, according to the city planning department.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of radius
Noun
  • Scientists are exploring whether the flu vaccine can disrupt tumors, providing another treatment along with expensive cutting-edge care.
    — Elie Dolgin, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Ukraine is working to improve its interception capabilities for both, but at the moment, experts said, the Russian weapons have an edge.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • Scientists are already seeing that, while Didymos has the same central ridge along its equator as before the impact, many changes have occurred.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 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
  • Protect Jewish students while restoring a clear boundary between harassment and protected speech.
    — Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The team’s calculations predicted that these boundaries, known as domain walls, could conduct electricity and move when a voltage was applied.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of boundary
Noun
  • There were ups and downs, including some struggles finishing at the rim in traffic, but the positives were obvious.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2026
  • His rim protection was sorely missed as the Warhawks’ backcourt routinely got to the rim at will and still finished the game shooting over 50%.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of rim
Noun
  • My home state borders Kentucky to the south and has plenty of cultural similarities with the Commonwealth.
    — Grace Byron, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • An Estonian newspaper recently revealed that a British soldier disobeyed a direct order to remove the SIM card from his cellphone before being deployed to a part of Estonia, approximately 90 miles west of the Russian border.
    — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of border

Browse Nearby Words

circumambulating
circumference
circumferences
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Cite this Entry

“Circumference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumference. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on circumference

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about circumference

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