circularity

American  

[sur-kyuh-lar-i-tee] / ˌsɜr kyəˈlær ɪ ti /

Rarely circularness

noun

1. the state or quality of being in the shape or form of a circle.

   Circularity is the measurement of the roundness of the individual coins.

   Her tasseled yellow hijab accentuated the almost complete circularity of her face.

2. the state or quality of moving or occurring in a cycle.

   Detritus ecosystems flourish and collapse because they lack the sustaining circularity of other kinds of ecosystems.

   The circularity of history provides instruction, correction, and guidance.

3. (of reasoning or logic) the quality of having a conclusion that has been assumed as a premise.

   Despite the apparent circularity, the implication that "public goods should be public" seems like a natural one.

   Circularity is the hallmark of this chain of reasoning, which appears to conflate the process of creating the rule with the process of justifying it.

4. the practice of encouraging reuse, recycling, or sustainability in consumption, manufacturing, etc..

   For the coming year, we intend to focus on sustainability and on closing the loop and bringing circularity into our purchasing and consuming behavior.

   Several new technologies are enabling infrastructure to be designed with greater circularity.

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Other Word Forms

• subcircularity noun

Etymology

Origin of circularity

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin circulāritas , equivalent to circular ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Example Sentences

Critics pointed to tech stocks’ rich valuations and voiced concerns about the circularity of some deals between major industry players.

From The Wall Street Journal

Uncertainty about Nvidia’s plans with OpenAI, and the possible impact on Oracle, exemplifies the “circularity” that characterizes much of the AI sector.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Our motivation was to bring the conversation about circularity into the space domain, where it's long overdue," says Xuan.

From Science Daily

Some analysts worry that circularity between Nvidia and its clients is creating a market bubble.

From The Wall Street Journal

That is largely because, for all the concern about the circularity of AI-funding investments of late —the idea that suppliers are funding their customers—the more important interconnection lies between AI and the broader economy.

From Barron's

Related Words

• chain reaction
• vicious cycle