closed circuit

American  

noun

Electricity.

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

---

closed circuit British  

noun

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

---

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.

---

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

At 4.17am on Feb. 6, the snow-covered ground around the Trend Garden began shaking violently, according to footage captured by closed circuit television.

From Reuters • Mar. 4, 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