circle

[sur-kuhl]

noun

1. a closed plane curve consisting of all points at a given distance from a point within it called the center. Equation: x 2 + y 2 = r 2 .

2. the portion of a plane bounded by such a curve.

3. any circular or ringlike object, formation, or arrangement.

   a circle of dancers.

   Synonyms: corona, halo, ring

4. a ring, circlet, or crown.

5. the ring of a circus.

6. a section of seats in a theater.

   dress circle.

7. the area within which something acts, exerts influence, etc.; realm; sphere.

   A politician has a wide circle of influence.

8. a series ending where it began, especially when perpetually repeated; cycle.

   the circle of the year.

9. Logic.,  an argument ostensibly proving a conclusion but actually assuming the conclusion or its equivalent as a premise; vicious circle.

10. a complete series forming a connected whole; cycle.

    the circle of the sciences.

11. a number of persons bound by a common tie; coterie.

    a literary circle;

    a family circle.

12. Government.,  an administrative division, especially of a province.

13. Geography.,  a parallel of latitude.

14. Astronomy.

    1. (formerly) the orbit of a heavenly body.

    2. meridian circle.

15. Surveying.,  a glass or metal disk mounted concentrically with the spindle of a theodolite or level and graduated so that the angle at which the alidade is set may be read.

16. a sphere or orb.

    the circle of the earth.

17. a ring of light in the sky; halo.

verb (used with object)

circled, circling 

1. to enclose in a circle; surround; encircle.

   Circle the correct answer on the exam paper.

   The enemy circled the hill.

2. to move in a circle or circuit around; rotate or revolve around.

   He circled the house cautiously.

3. to change course so as to pass by or avoid collision with; bypass; evade.

   The ship carefully circled the iceberg.

verb (used without object)

circled, circling 

1. to move in a circle or circuit.

   The plane circled for half an hour before landing.

2. Movies, Television.,  to iris (usually followed by in orout ).

circle

/ ˈsɜːkəl /

noun

1. maths a closed plane curve every point of which is equidistant from a given fixed point, the centre. Equation: ( x –h )² + ( y –k )² = r ² where r is the radius and ( h, k ) are the coordinates of the centre; area πr²; circumference: 2π r

2. the figure enclosed by such a curve

3. theatre the section of seats above the main level of the auditorium, usually comprising the dress circle and the upper circle

4. something formed or arranged in the shape of a circle

5. a group of people sharing an interest, activity, upbringing, etc; set

   golf circles

   a family circle

6. a domain or area of activity, interest, or influence

7. a circuit

8. a process or chain of events or parts that forms a connected whole; cycle

9. a parallel of latitude See also great circle small circle

10. the ring of a circus

11. one of a number of Neolithic or Bronze Age rings of standing stones, such as Stonehenge, found in Europe and thought to be associated with some form of ritual or astronomical measurement

12. hockey See striking circle

13. a circular argument See vicious circle

14. to arrive back at one's starting point See also vicious circle

15. to engage in energetic but fruitless activity

verb

1. to move in a circle (around)

   we circled the city by car

2. (tr) to enclose in a circle; encircle

circle

1. A closed curve whose points are all on the same plane and at the same distance from a fixed point (the center).

Other Word Forms

• circler noun
• intercircle verb (used with object)
• recircle verb
• uncircled adjective
• undercircle noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of circle¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English cercle (from Old French cercle), Old English circul, both from Latin circulus, equivalent to circ(us) “circle, circular course, orbit” + -ulus diminutive ending; circus, -ule )

Word History and Origins

Origin of circle¹

C14: from Latin circulus a circular figure, from circus ring, circle

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. circle the wagons,

   1. (in the early U.S. West) to form the wagons of a covered-wagon train into a circle for defensive purposes, as against Indian attack.

   2. Slang. to prepare for an all-out, unaided defensive fight.

      The company has circled the wagons since its market share began to decline.

see full circle; go around (in circles); run around (in circles); run rings (circles) around; vicious circle.

Synonym Study

Circle, club, coterie, set, society are terms applied to restricted social groups. A circle may be a little group; in the plural it often suggests a whole section of society interested in one mode of life, occupation, etc.: a sewing circle; a language circle; in theatrical circles. Club implies an association with definite requirements for membership and fixed dues: an athletic club. Coterie suggests a little group closely and intimately associated because of congeniality: a literary coterie. Set refers to a number of persons of similar background, interests, etc., somewhat like a clique ( ring ¹ ) but without disapproving connotations; however, it often implies wealth or interest in social activities: the country club set. A society is a group associated to further common interests of a cultural or practical kind: a Humane Society.

Example Sentences

It means a return to the backbenches for a high-profile MP who was considered to be a big political asset to her party and who remains a popular figure within many Labour circles and beyond.

From BBC

Fans wiped away tears as they watched Ripken circle the field, and the thunderous applause never waned throughout the delay.

From Los Angeles Times

"It was a vicious circle. It was just complete turmoil... something that everyone just used to say she would grow out of or 'it's a phase' or 'she just needs to learn'," Holly added.

From BBC

When Last Chance Grade is closed, the only alternative — aside from steep, unpaved logging roads — is a 449-mile, eight-hour detour circling through Redding and southern Oregon.

From Los Angeles Times

His band has been around so long that the zeitgeist it emerged in has circled back around again.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• camp 
• class 
• clique 
• club 
• company 
• crowd 
• fraternity 
• party 
• ring 
• school 
• society 

When To Use

What is a basic definition of circle?

In geometry, a circle is a perfectly round shape—meaning any point around its curve is the same distance from its central point. Circle commonly refers to anything that’s approximately shaped like this, even if it’s not a perfect circle in geometric terms. The letter O is a circle. As a verb, circle means to surround something or to move in a circular pattern. The word circle has several other senses as a noun and a verb.In math, a circle is one of the shapes that a student will learn about when studying geometry. A circle resembles the letter O or the symbol for zero (0). A circle consists of a closed curved line around a central point. Every point on the line is the same distance from the central point. This distance to the center is called the radius. The outer line that encloses the circle (or the length of this line) is called the circumference.Real-life example: A circle is a basic shape that’s typically taught to young children along with other simple shapes, such as triangles, squares, and rectangles.Used in a sentence: The math teacher taught the students how to measure the circumference of a circle. Outside of math, circle generally refers to any object, shape, or formation that resembles a ring. The adjective circular describes something that has the shape of a circle.Real-life examples: Wedding rings, Hula-Hoops, Cheerios, and car tires are circles. Drum circles, poetry circles, and prayer circles involve people literally arranging themselves to form a ring shape. They can also be figurative circles, with people gathering in one place for a common purpose.Used in a sentence: The children gathered in a circle around the litter of puppies. As a verb, circle means to surround something or to enclose it in a circle.Real-life example: Schoolchildren are often asked to circle the correct answer on a test.Used in a sentence: The police officers circled the building so that every exit was covered. Circle as a verb also means to move in a circle or a circular pattern around something.Real-life example: Vultures and sharks often circle around things they are planning to eat.Used in a sentence: She circled the house in search of her dropped car keys.