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 By comparing shadows at two locations, the Greek polymath Eratosthenes becomes the first person to accurately calculate the circumference of the earth. — New York Times, 17 July 2026 The 1,200-year-old Major Oak was also large in size, with a trunk circumference of around 36 feet and a total width of about 92 feet. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2026 But a recent study found that people with larger waist circumferences who ate one avocado daily for six months did not see improvements in blood sugar, insulin levels, or insulin resistance. — Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 30 June 2026 The most astonishing thing about this is that these numbers appear in the simplest contexts, such as when calculating the circumference of a circle or the diagonal of a square. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 19 June 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
  • Many gardeners like to grow their ginger in large-diameter containers that can be moved about as needed.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2026
  • During the exercise, Sea Spear consistently detected, tracked and classified medium- and large-diameter UUVs.
    — Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
Definition of diameter
Noun
  • Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and DeMar DeRozan make for a tough out, but there are at least three teams that could be better in the East given Miami’s need for perimeter shooting and guardplay.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
  • Those perimeter updates typically arrive only eight to 10 times a day while firefighters battle to contain a wildfire, SeLegue said.
    — Reeti Malhotra July 25, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of perimeter
Noun
  • Now, after three shootings in less than a week, all within a three-block radius of Market Street, San Francisco police are increasing their presence in the area.
    — Brad Hamilton, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • His speed has been evident on the practice field, and his 6-foot-4, 198-pound frame has furnished a catching radius that all Carolina quarterbacks in camp have benefited from — from Bryce Young, to Kenny Pickett, to Haynes King.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2026
Definition of radius
Noun
  • Connection feels safer when nobody has to guess where the edge is.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026
  • Lake Michigan is its main shoreline, though the northern edge also touches the Black River, a popular spot for kayakers and boaters, who can tie up at the waterfront restaurants.
    — Savannah Born, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • Because of its rapid spin, Altair is much wider at its equator than at its poles.
    — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
  • During the El Niño phase, warm water around the Pacific equator spreads far to the east, typically changing patterns of wind shear to favor tropical cyclone activity in the eastern Pacific and decrease it in the Atlantic.
    — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 1 June 2026
Definition of equator
Noun
  • The new 5th Congressional District boundaries were designed to ease a path for Republicans to force out Cleaver, who has represented Kansas City in Congress since 2005.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • As England captain, his success in elevating the team above mediocrity was only fleeting, but his impact crossed cultural boundaries.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 25 July 2026
Definition of boundary
Noun
  • His backpack was found on April 28 by a park visitor on the rim of the Grand Canyon near where his body was found two weeks later.
    — Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2026
  • The car’s also ride on staggered 21- and 22-inch Altanero rims and feature bronze brake calipers and black exhaust tips.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 22 July 2026
Definition of rim
Noun
  • The physical border fence between the southern tip of Spain and the British territory of Gibraltar was removed earlier this month, under a historic treaty between the EU and the UK.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The strategic headquarters of the Allied Powers, known as SHAPE, is located in the southern Belgian city of Mons near the French border.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 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 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on circumference

Nglish: Translation of circumference for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about circumference

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