a closed plane curve consisting of all points at a given distance from a point within it called the center. Equation: x2 + y2 = r2.
the portion of a plane bounded by such a curve.
any circular or ringlike object, formation, or arrangement: a circle of dancers.
a ring, circlet, or crown.
the ring of a circus.
a section of seats in a theater: dress circle.
the area within which something acts, exerts influence, etc.; realm; sphere: A politician has a wide circle of influence.
a series ending where it began, especially when perpetually repeated; cycle: the circle of the year.
Logic. an argument ostensibly proving a conclusion but actually assuming the conclusion or its equivalent as a premise; vicious circle.
a complete series forming a connected whole; cycle: the circle of the sciences.
a number of persons bound by a common tie; coterie: a literary circle; a family circle.
Government. an administrative division, especially of a province.
Geography. a parallel of latitude.
Astronomy.
(formerly) the orbit of a heavenly body.
meridian circle.
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.
a sphere or orb: the circle of the earth.
a ring of light in the sky; halo.
verb (used with object),cir·cled,cir·cling.
to enclose in a circle; surround; encircle: Circle the correct answer on the exam paper. The enemy circled the hill.
to move in a circle or circuit around; rotate or revolve around: He circled the house cautiously.
to change course so as to pass by or avoid collision with; bypass; evade: The ship carefully circled the iceberg.
verb (used without object),cir·cled,cir·cling.
to move in a circle or circuit: The plane circled for half an hour before landing.
Movies, Television. to iris (usually followed by in or out).
Idioms for circle
circle the wagons,
(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.
Slang.to prepare for an all-out, unaided defensive fight: The company has circled the wagons since its market share began to decline.
Origin of circle
before 1000; <Latin circulus, equivalent to circ(us) (see circus) + -ulus-ule; replacing Middle English cercle<Old French <Latin, as above; replacing Old English circul<Latin, as above
SYNONYMS FOR circle
3 ring, halo, corona.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR circle ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for circle
11. 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 ( see ring1 ) 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.
OTHER WORDS FROM circle
circler,nounin·ter·cir·cle,verb (used with object),in·ter·cir·cled,in·ter·cir·cling.re·cir·cle,verb,re·cir·cled,re·cir·cling.un·cir·cled,adjective
un·der·cir·cle,verb (used with object),un·der·cir·cled,un·der·cir·cling.un·der·cir·cle,noun
Words nearby circle
Circassian walnut, Circe, circinate, circinate retinopathy, Circinus, circle, circle absorption anesthesia, circle graph, circle-in, circle jerk, circle of confusion
Unbeknownst to him, there was someone in his circle of friends paying extra close attention to Paul.
A Welcome Lifeline|Washington Regional Transplant Community|September 17, 2020|Washington Blade
Von Spakovsky is highly influential in conservative circles.
No Democrats Allowed: A Conservative Lawyer Holds Secret Voter Fraud Meetings With State Election Officials|by Mike Spies, Jake Pearson and Jessica Huseman|September 15, 2020|ProPublica
It’s unclear how ancestral Wichita people used council circles.
Drones find signs of a Native American ‘Great Settlement’ beneath a Kansas pasture|Bruce Bower|September 10, 2020|Science News
In his 2005 book, Inside the Neolithic Mind, Lewis-Williams argues that a similar principle might explain other Neolithic monuments and cult buildings found in the Near East, such as the stone circles of Göbekli Tepe.
An Ancient Site with Human Skulls on Display - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Jo Marchant|September 2, 2020|Nautilus
Inner groups of simulated stones obscured and scattered sounds reflected off the outer sarsen circle, blocking echo formation.
Stonehenge enhanced sounds like voices or music for people inside the monument|Bruce Bower|August 31, 2020|Science News
Not before long, I think about four cops went up to the circle and just grabbed a few of the people from behind.
Dispatch From USC Protests over Ferguson|Maya Richard Craven|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It caused people to drive around all night in a circle, and not eat.
The Renegade: Robert Downey Sr. on His Classic Films, Son’s Battle with Drugs, and Bill Cosby|Marlow Stern|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In “Back Home,” Gil also revisits the nostalgia for the South explored in his Johns Hopkins thesis, “Circle of Stone.”
‘The Prince of Chocolate City’: When Gil Scott-Heron Became A Music Icon|Marcus Baram|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We arrange ourselves in a circle on metal foldout chairs and a futon.
A Shooting on a Tribal Land Uncovers Feds Running Wild|Caitlin Dickson|August 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cast of beloved musical classes up mass transit with a capella ‘Circle of Life’
Viral Video of the Day: 'Lion King' Cast Takes Broadway to Subway|Alex Chancey|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At the mouth of the sack was a fortunate piece of cord, threaded through a circle of ragged holes.
The House by the River|A. P. Herbert
It was a perfect lagoon island, consisting of a circle of land of a light clay colour, the lagoon of a beautiful blue tint.
The Cruise of the Dainty|William H. G. Kingston
Touched with her troubles, a circle of generous spirits contributed a large sum to her relief.
The Young Maiden|A. B. (Artemas Bowers) Muzzey
If she can tell stories well, she might form a circle of children to attend a children's hour.
The Canadian Girl at Work|Marjory MacMurchy
The benches were arranged in a circle running up from a small pit.
The Young Pitcher|Zane Grey
British Dictionary definitions for circle
circle
/ (ˈsɜːkəl) /
noun
mathsa 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
the figure enclosed by such a curve
theatrethe section of seats above the main level of the auditorium, usually comprising the dress circle and the upper circle
something formed or arranged in the shape of a circle
a group of people sharing an interest, activity, upbringing, etc; setgolf circles; a family circle
a domain or area of activity, interest, or influence
a circuit
a process or chain of events or parts that forms a connected whole; cycle
a parallel of latitudeSee also great circle, small circle
the ring of a circus
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
hockey See striking circle
a circular argumentSee vicious circle (def. 2)
come full circleto arrive back at one's starting pointSee also vicious circle
go round in circlesorrun round in circlesto engage in energetic but fruitless activity
verb
to move in a circle (around)we circled the city by car
(tr)to enclose in a circle; encircle
Derived forms of circle
circler, noun
Word Origin for circle
C14: from Latin circulus a circular figure, from circus ring, circle