encircle

[en-sur-kuhl]

verb (used with object)

encircled, encircling 

1. to form a circle around; surround; encompass.

   to encircle an enemy.

2. to make a circling movement around; make the circuit of.

encircle

/ ɪnˈsɜːkəl /

verb

1. (tr) to form a circle around; enclose within a circle; surround

Other Word Forms

• encirclement noun
• encircling adjective
• unencircled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of encircle¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; en- ¹, circle

Example Sentences

Beijing launched military drills around Taiwan after Lai's National Day speech last year, sending planes and ships to encircle the island.

Read more on Barron's

“But the pains weren’t gone in two days; they were worse, and grew worse still, as if something inside her were encircled by a wire being drawn tighter and tighter to cut it in two.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Surprisingly, once we swam out, I could see the land encircled us with long arms.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The latest conflict broke out in 2023 after Hamas fighters broke through a border fence encircling Gaza and killed more than 1,000 Israelis, most of them civilians.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

By turning its attention to Kayes, the group is not only widening its footprint but threatening to encircle Bamako.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• enclose 
• encompass 
• envelop 
• surround