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 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 incident was largely forgotten until the last few days, when a farmer in rural Minnesota discovered a circular metal object about 11 feet in diameter lay amid the forest of corn stalks.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the ship is also equipped with a large-diameter, high-efficiency propeller to reduce fuel consumption during voyages.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of diameter
Noun
  • Some had stepped outside to see what happened and couldn’t get back in once police set up a perimeter.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Deputies established a perimeter around the home in the 6800 block of Klingon Court in the Florin area and tried to persuade Yang to surrender.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of perimeter
Noun
  • To confirm that your location is within the store’s range, visit its website and check the delivery radius.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Activities like boating, jet-skiing, snorkeling, kayaking, and mountain biking can all be enjoyed within a five-mile radius.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of radius
Noun
  • Two came from edge Chop Robinson while another was courtesy of fellow edge Josh Uche.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Bake pie until edges of filling are set and slightly puffed but center still wobbles a little when gently shaken, 40–50 minutes (filling will continue to set after baking).
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Nov. 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
  • But what if that expressionless gaze is a silent boundary — and those of us on the receiving end of the stare are the judgmental ones?
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Baby Dan tested the boundaries, Baby Dan defied his mother, Baby Dan threw tantrums and wouldn’t stop.
    — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of boundary
Noun
  • But the Pelicans responded with 14 straight points, highlighted by Bey's off-balance, 6-footer that rolled all the way around the rim before falling in to make it 116-110 with 39 seconds left.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Once entirely based in Palm Beach County, the district was redrawn to stretch from West Broward and Palm Beach counties through communities along the southern rim of Lake Okeechobee, all the way to the Gulf Coast in Collier County.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of rim
Noun
  • In their letter, the bishops attempted to balance human dignity and a right for governments to humanely protect borders.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, North Korea has been adding mines, barbed wire fences, tactical roads, anti-tank walls and other fortifications to what's already one of the world's most heavily armed borders.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on circumference

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about circumference

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