circus

[sur-kuh s]

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noun, plural cir·cus·es.

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.Compare big top.

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.

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

(in ancient Rome)

a large, usually oblong or oval, roofless enclosure, surrounded by tiers of seats rising one above another, for chariot races, public games, etc.
an entertainment given in this Roman arena, as a chariot race or public game: The Caesars appeased the public with bread and circuses.

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

flying circus.

British. an open circle, square, or plaza where several streets converge: Piccadilly Circus.

fun, excitement, or uproar; a display of rowdy sport.

Obsolete. a circlet or ring.

Origin of circus

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

Related formscir·cus·y, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for circus

Contemporary Examples of circus

It helps that the circus is like a family—only one that can choose its members.
A Backstage Love Affair With Cirque du Soleil
Allison McNearney
December 1, 2014
The circus is now performing 18 shows around the world, with eight performances in Las Vegas alone each night.
A Backstage Love Affair With Cirque du Soleil
Allison McNearney
December 1, 2014
In 1870, the very Germanically-named August Ruengling fixed a harness for a circus rider and obtained free passes for his family.
We’re All Carnies Now: Why We Can’t Quit the Circus
Anthony Paletta
November 27, 2014
Circus parades often became as large a sight as the performance itself; one Barnum and Bailey parade stretched for three miles.
We’re All Carnies Now: Why We Can’t Quit the Circus
Anthony Paletta
November 27, 2014
The modern era of the circus is inseparable from several names you may have encountered.
We’re All Carnies Now: Why We Can’t Quit the Circus
Anthony Paletta
November 27, 2014

Historical Examples of circus

Crossing the square where the Tacon theatre and circus stand, I wander through the narrow, ill-paved streets of the Cuban capital.
The Pearl of the Antilles, or An Artist in Cuba
Walter Goodman
The circus was about breaking up for the night, and the great tent was buzzing and resounding with noise.
The Rival Campers Ashore
Ruel Perley Smith
And though he whined and begged to be taken to the circus, Farmer Green caught hold of his collar and led him into the barn.
The Tale of Old Dog Spot
Arthur Scott Bailey
If he can flourish a whip like a true ringmaster in the circus, the interest of the game will be enhanced.
Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium
Jessie H. Bancroft
The rest of the time he could eat or sleep, except when the circus moved from place to place.
Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant
Richard Barnum

British Dictionary definitions for circus

circus

noun plural -cuses

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

a public performance given by such a company

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

a travelling group of professional sportsmena cricket circus

(in ancient Rome)

an open-air stadium, usually oval or oblong, for chariot races or public games
the games themselves

British

an open place, usually circular, in a town, where several streets converge
(capital when part of a name)Piccadilly Circus

informal noisy or rowdy behaviour

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

Word Origin for circus

C16: from Latin, from Greek kirkos ring

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

Word Origin and History for circus

late 14c., in reference to ancient Rome, from Latin circus "ring, circular line," which was applied by Romans to circular arenas for performances and contests and oval courses for racing (especially the Circus Maximus), from or cognate with Greek kirkos "a circle, a ring," from PIE *kirk- from root *(s)ker- "to turn, bend" (see ring (n.)).

In reference to modern large arenas for performances from 1791; sense then extended to the performing company, hence "traveling show" (originally traveling circus, 1838). Extended in World War I to squadrons of military aircraft. Meaning "lively uproar, chaotic hubbub" is from 1869. Sense in Picadilly Circus and other place names is from early 18c. sense "buildings arranged in a ring," also "circular road." The adjective form is circensian.

Idioms and Phrases with circus

circus

see three-ring circus.

circus

noun, plural cir·cus·es.

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Origin of circus

Examples from the Web for circus

Contemporary Examples of circus

Historical Examples of circus

circus

noun plural -cuses

Word Origin for circus

circus