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
  • Intterra has for years provided software to the state that helps emergency officials collect the latest information, such as fire perimeter maps created by Cal OES intel airplanes, and share it with firefighters in the field.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • New claims of danger emerge The East Potomac closure will extend far beyond the golf course, removing public access to recreational areas and much of the three-mile perimeter loop beloved by runners and cyclists.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of perimeter
Noun
  • The Federal Aviation Administration imposed a temporary flight restriction covering a 15-nautical-mile radius around the facility, extending up to 10,000 feet above sea level, according to local media reports.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • There was a shelter-in-place order for residents within a mile radius of Millville and Taylor Streets in Salem as heavily armed officers with K-9s and drones combed the area for five hours.
    — Anna Meiler, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of radius
Noun
  • Sequenced at the center of a three-track medley, its death-dream logic deliberately evokes the SMiLE era’s dark, confusing edge.
    — Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Wear one in beige or white to add a bit of brightness to your look, or black for some edge.
    — Michel Mejía, Glamour, 25 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
  • 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
  • For perspective, the Heat’s 25 rim attempts would have been the third-most for any team in a first half last season.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Paul Wall and Chamillionaire had riding around on big-ass rims.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on circumference

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about circumference

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