circumference
Americannoun
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the boundary of a specific area or geometric figure, esp of a circle
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the length of a closed geometric curve, esp of a circle. The circumference of a circle is equal to the diameter multiplied by π
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The boundary line of a circle.
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The boundary line of a figure, area, or object.
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The length of such a boundary. The circumference of a circle is computed by multiplying the diameter by pi.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of circumference
1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin circumferentia, equivalent to circum- circum- + fer- (stem of ferre to carry) + -entia -ence
Explanation
The distance around a circle is called the circumference, and although circumference is often used when talking about round things, it can mean a boundary of any shape that completely surrounds something. It’s no coincidence that the first part of circumference looks like circle. The Latin word circum means “around,” and the root ferre is the Latin verb for “carry,” so imagine carrying a puppy around a circle pit of lava: the path you walk is the circumference. If you want to buy a new hat, you’ll need to measure the circumference of your head, and patrolling the circumference of your castle is a good way to protect against dragons.
Vocabulary lists containing circumference
100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know
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Essential Academic Vocabulary for Middle School Students, List 1
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Pi Day Vocabulary
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Johnson of Circumference FS and John Lewis of HighWater Ltd. – are directors at 60 other companies affiliated with the Goldman Sachs Group.
From Salon • Jan. 17, 2020
Her latest novel, “The Wide Circumference of Love,” is about an African American family dealing with Alzheimer’s.
From Washington Post • May 31, 2017
Circumference: Wrap a tape measure around the tree at a point that is 4 1 2 feet above the ground.
From Washington Post • Apr. 11, 2014
DoubleX Gabfest: The Circumspect Circumference Edition Listen to ’s show about prenatal depression, hot Olympic bodies, and cosmetic surgery for teenage girls.
From Slate • Aug. 9, 2012
Circumference, sėr-kum′fėr-ens, n. the boundary-line of any round body, esp. of a circle: the line surrounding anything: area: compass: distance round.—adj.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
