closed circuit

American  

noun

Electricity.

1. a circuit without interruption, providing a continuous path through which a current can flow.

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closed circuit British  

noun

1. a complete electrical circuit through which current can flow when a voltage is applied Compare open circuit

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closed circuit Scientific  

1. An electric circuit through which current can flow in an uninterrupted path.

2. Compare open circuit

3. A television system in which the signal is usually sent by cable to a limited number of receivers.

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Other Word Forms

• closed-circuit
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of closed circuit

First recorded in 1820–30

Compare meaning

How does closed-circuit compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• open circuit vs. closed circuit

Example Sentences

The fun part of the casting process, especially when casting is a closed circuit and it’s a pre-existing group of people, is you start to unpack all the relationships, and the show emerges.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025

I’m in a little bit of a closed circuit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025

That is, the electricity that drives electromagnetism has no resistance, and constantly runs in a closed circuit without the supply of electricity.

From Science Daily • May 2, 2024

Chernichuk said that water cooling the facility's spent nuclear fuel storage pools was on a closed circuit and had no direct contact with water coming from the Kakhovka Reservoir.

From Reuters • Jun. 6, 2023

For the moment the boys were a closed circuit of sympathy with Piggy outside: he went very pink, bowed his head and cleaned his glasses again.

From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding