- present participle of surround.
surrounding
Americannoun
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something that surrounds.
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surroundings, environing things, circumstances, conditions, etc.; environment.
He was too sick to be aware of his surroundings.
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the act of encircling or enclosing.
adjective
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enclosing or encircling.
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being the environment or adjacent area.
Synonym Usage
See environment.
Etymology
Origin of surrounding
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English: literally “inundation”; see origin at surround, -ing 1, -ing 2
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.
Commissioner Rob Manfred said the league is keeping an eye on developments surrounding Walter’s insurance empire.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026
She said she wanted to thank her family, including her husband Nathan, for surrounding her with "all of that love" and support throughout the show and during the final.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
Its contemporary design is defined by glass walls boasting breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain, as the surrounding landscape creates a serene environment in every inch of the home.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026
Industry representatives said workers from at least 529 factories in Dhaka and its surrounding industrial areas, including Savar, Ashulia, Jirani and Gazipur, had left their workplaces on Sunday.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
It appears that every able-bodied man in the surrounding area has been summoned to the Temple of the Sun.
From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
