encircle

American

[en-sur-kuhl] / ɛnˈsɜr kəl /

verb (used with object)

encircled, encircling

to form a circle around; surround; encompass.

to encircle an enemy.
to make a circling movement around; make the circuit of.

encircle British

/ ɪnˈsɜːkəl /

verb

(tr) to form a circle around; enclose within a circle; surround

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

encirclement noun
encircling adjective
unencircled adjective

Etymology

Origin of encircle

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; en- ¹, circle

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.

China launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter jets, navy ships and coastguard vessels this week to encircle Taiwan's main island.

From Barron's • Jan. 1, 2026

It already displays two prominent, sweeping arms that encircle a bright central bulge, stretching across about 30,000 light-years.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2025

They constructed a 35-mile earthen berm around the city in an attempt to encircle its one million residents.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

But the front line creeps ever closer, with Russia also threatening to encircle defenders from the north and west.

From BBC • Nov. 19, 2024

The backyard trees shade and encircle it, keep it tucked away.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023