encircle

verb

en·​cir·​cle in-ˈsər-kəl How to pronounce encircle (audio)
en-
encircled; encircling; encircles

transitive verb

1
: to form a circle around : surround
2
: to pass completely around
encirclement noun

Examples of encircle in a Sentence

A crowd of reporters encircled the mayor. communication satellites encircling the earth
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire crew successfully encircled the entire perimeter of the fire in control lines. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025 There are single and double cultivars offering variations on the classic yellow center encircled by white petals. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 May 2025 But on this third Friday in May, Martin is encircled by students at the Savannah College of Art and Design’s Atlanta campus, where in six hours from this moment, 53 School of Fashion seniors and graduate students will present their work to a who’s who of industry professionals. Jackie Fields, People.com, 23 May 2025 These dramatic geological features, encircled by rings of fractures, are scattered across Venus, offering a stunning window into the planet's inner workings, scientists say. Victoria Corless, Space.com, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for encircle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enserclen

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of encircle was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Encircle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encircle. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

encircle

verb
en·​cir·​cle in-ˈsər-kəl How to pronounce encircle (audio)
1
: to form a circle around : surround
2
: to go completely around
encirclement noun

More from Merriam-Webster on encircle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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