surround

American  

[suh-round] / səˈraʊnd /

verb (used with object)

1. to enclose on all sides; encompass.

   She was surrounded by reporters.

2. to form an enclosure around; encircle.

   A stone wall surrounds the estate.

3. to enclose (a body of troops, a fort or town, etc.) so as to cut off communication or retreat.

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noun

1. something that surrounds, as the area, border, etc., around an object or central space.

   a tile surround for the shower stall.

2. environment or setting.

   The designer created a Persian surround for the new restaurant.

3. Hunting.

   1. a means of hunting in which wild animals are encircled and chased into a special spot that makes their escape impossible.

   2. the act of hunting by this means.

   3. the location encircled by hunters using this means.

surround British  

/ səˈraʊnd /

verb

1. to encircle or enclose or cause to be encircled or enclosed

2. to deploy forces on all sides of (a place or military formation), so preventing access or retreat

3. to exist around

   I dislike the people who surround her

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noun

1. a border, esp the area of uncovered floor between the walls of a room and the carpet or around an opening or panel

2. 1. a method of capturing wild beasts by encircling the area in which they are believed to be

   2. the area so encircled

Other Word Forms

• presurround verb (used with object)
• surrounding adjective

Etymology

Origin of surround

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English surounden “to inundate, submerge,” from Anglo-French surounder, Middle French s(o)ronder, from Late Latin superundāre “to overflow,” equivalent to Latin super- super- + undāre “to flood,” derivative of unda “wave” ( undulate ); current spelling by analysis as sur- ¹ + round ¹ (verb)

Example Sentences

The newly formed "enhanced CAR-macrophages" showed much stronger cancer-killing activity and stimulated surrounding immune cells, leading to a powerful anticancer response.

From Science Daily

Stellar Bank operates 52 banking offices in greater Houston, Beaumont and surrounding areas and Dallas.

From The Wall Street Journal

Americans live their lives surrounded by something they never have to think about—the world’s reserve currency.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, the Swedish truck maker cautioned that uncertainties remain, not least surrounding geopolitical developments, which could impact demand going forward.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, when a star releases a large amount of material ahead of time, that surrounding gas can act as a "mirror."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• besiege
• circle
• envelop
• inundate
• ring