circus

American  

[sur-kuhs] / ˈsɜr kəs /

noun

circuses plural

1. a large public entertainment, typically presented in one or more very large tents or in an outdoor or indoor arena, featuring exhibitions of pageantry, feats of skill and daring, performing animals, etc., interspersed throughout with the slapstick antics of clowns.

2. a troupe of performers, especially a traveling troupe, that presents such entertainments, together with officials, other employees, and the company's performing animals, traveling wagons, tents, cages, and equipment.

3. anything resembling such public entertainments, as an event or activity that is wildly active, disordered, sensational, etc..

   That whole trial was a circus.

4. a circular arena surrounded by tiers of seats, in which public entertainments are held; arena.

5. (in ancient Rome)

   1. a large, usually oblong or oval, roofless enclosure, surrounded by tiers of seats rising one above another, for chariot races, public games, etc.

   2. an entertainment given in this Roman arena, as a chariot race or public game.

      The Caesars appeased the public with bread and circuses.

6. anything resembling the Roman circus, or arena, as a natural amphitheater or a circular range of houses.

7. flying circus.

8. British. an open circle, square, or plaza where several streets converge.

   Piccadilly Circus.

9. Obsolete. a circlet or ring.

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circus British  

/ ˈsɜːkəs /

noun

1. a travelling company of entertainers such as acrobats, clowns, trapeze artistes, and trained animals

2. a public performance given by such a company

3. an oval or circular arena, usually tented and surrounded by tiers of seats, in which such a performance is held

4. a travelling group of professional sportsmen

   a cricket circus

5. 1. an open-air stadium, usually oval or oblong, for chariot races or public games

   2. the games themselves

6. 1. an open place, usually circular, in a town, where several streets converge

   2. ( capital when part of a name )

      Piccadilly Circus

7. informal noisy or rowdy behaviour

8. informal a person or group of people whose behaviour is wild, disorganized, or (esp unintentionally) comic

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circus Idioms  

1. see three-ring circus.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• circusy
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• circuses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of circus

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin: “circular region of the sky, oval space in which games were held,” akin to (or borrowed from) Greek kírkos “ring, circle”

Explanation

A circus is a group of many different performers, often including clowns, trapeze artists, and animal trainers. When the circus comes to town, you'll see a big, striped tent being set up for the show. The ringmaster of a circus has historically been a kind of narrator, calling for the audience's attention and announcing different entertainers. Traditional circuses have performing animals, clowns, and acrobats, while more contemporary circuses combine elements of theater, dance, acrobatics, and music. You can also use circus to mean "noisy, confused activity." In Latin, the word circus means "ring," and the Romans used it to describe the arenas in which performances took place.

Example Sentences

Jackson’s historically questionable relationships with children, the media circus surrounding the trial and the effect it had on fans, the family at its center and Jackson himself are explored, too.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

The spike in interest quickly burned off as if the World Cup were a circus that momentarily thrilled before leaving town.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

“It’s great to have the circus come to town, but then they pack up and leave nothing behind,” said Netflix co-chief executive Ted Sarandos.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

Keane described Fernandes as being at the centre of a "circus act" following United's 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest on the penultimate weekend of the season.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

The night before had been Bailey’s first proper introduction to the circus.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Related Words

• festival
• spectacle