Illustration of circle
- AB diameter
- C center
- CD CA CB radii
- EKF arc on chord EF
- EFKL (area) segment on chord EF
- ACD (area) sector
- GH secant
- TPM tangent at point P
- EKFBPDA circumference
often attributive
1
b
: a closed plane (see plane entry 6 sense 2b) curve every point of which is equidistant (see equidistant sense 1) from a fixed point within the curve
c
: the plane surface bounded by such a curve
2
archaic
: the orbit of a celestial body
3
: something in the form of a circle or section of a circle: such as
a
: diadem
b
: an instrument of astronomical observation the graduated (see graduated sense 2a) limb of which consists of an entire circle
c
: a balcony or tier of seats in a theater
d
: a circle formed on the surface of a sphere by the intersection of a plane that passes through it
circle of latitude
e
: rotary sense 2
Traffic slowed down around the circle.
4
: an area of action or influence : realm
within the circle of probability
5
6
: a group of persons sharing a common interest or revolving about a common center
the sewing circle of her church
family circle
the gossip of court circles
political, social, and literary circles
7
: a territorial or administrative division or district
The province is divided into nine circles.
8
: a curving side street
lived on Kimberly Circle
9
: a circular course or path
The children ran in circles around the tree.
The conversation kept going in circles, and nothing got accomplished.
circled; circling
ˈsər-k(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to enclose in or as if in a circle
The teacher circled the misspelled words.
2
: to move or revolve around
satellites circling the earth
1
a
: to move in or as if in a circle
The airplane circled around over the airport.
b
: circulate
thy name shall circle round the gaping throng—
Lord Byron
Lord Byron
c
: to circle around before making an attack
sharks circling in the water
2
: to describe or extend in a circle
the lighthouse sent out its slow steady circling beam—R. O. Bowen
R. O. BowenExamples of circle in a Sentence
Noun
She drew a circle around the correct answer.
We formed a circle around the campfire.
He looked old and tired, with dark circles under his eyes.
She has a large circle of friends.
She is well-known in banking circles.
Verb
He circled his arms around his wife's waist.
His arms circled around his wife's waist.
She circled the correct answer.
The pilot circled the airport before landing.
The halfback circled to the left.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Sacks, People.com, 15 July 2025
There is a small circle of hairs (acidopore) present at the tip of the abdomen (as opposed to the typical stinger found in many ants), a characteristic of formicine ants (found within the Formicinae subfamily).
—Kim Luciani, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
Colson Thayer, People.com, 14 July 2025
The plane returned less than an hour after takeoff, circling twice before landing back at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for circle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Inspired by her Moroccan roots, the couple took part in a henna ceremony, complete with costumes and a drum circle.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 15 July 2025
There is a small circle of hairs (acidopore) present at the tip of the abdomen (as opposed to the typical stinger found in many ants), a characteristic of formicine ants (found within the Formicinae subfamily).
—Kim Luciani, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
Verb
The recorded flight path shows the aircraft circled a few times before landing.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 14 July 2025
The plane returned less than an hour after takeoff, circling twice before landing back at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for circle
Cite this Entry
“Circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circle. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
circle
1 of 2 noun
cir·cle
ˈsər-kəl
1
b
: a line segment that is curved so that its ends meet and every point on the line is equally far away from a single point inside
c
: the flat surface enclosed by a circle
2
: something in the form of a circle
a traffic circle
3
: cycle entry 1 sense 2a, round
the wheel had come full circle
4
: a group of people sharing a common interest
our circle of friends
circle
2 of 2 verb
circled; circling
-k(ə-)liŋ
1
: to enclose in or as if in a circle
circle the correct answer
the trees circling our little house
2
: to move or revolve around
the pilot circled the field
satellites circling the earth
3
: to move in or as if in a circle
the quarterback circled to the left
Etymology
Noun
Middle English cercle "circle," from early French cercle (same meaning), derived from Latin circus "circle, ring, arena"
Medical Definition
circle
noun
cir·cle
ˈsər-kəl
1
a
: a closed plane curve every point of which is equidistant from a fixed point within the curve
b
: the plane surface bounded by such a curve
2
: something (as an anatomical part) in the form of a circle or section of a circle
an arterial circle
see circle of willis
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