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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025

Arum, who had done this for years and thought even a $10 closed-circuit ticket would be a stretch, remembers laughing and saying “nobody would ever pay $25 for a closed circuit telecast.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 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

This year’s proposal is lumped into a budget item that would also fund closed circuit television surveillance and increase the city’s number of automated license plate readers.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 9, 2023

Reducing the amount of time people spend behind bars—by eliminating harsh mandatory minimums—will alleviate some of the unnecessary suffering caused by this system, but it will not disturb the closed circuit.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander