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small circle

American

noun

a circle on a sphere, the plane of which does not pass through the center of the sphere.

small circle British

noun

a circular section of a sphere that does not contain the centre of the sphere Compare great circle

"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

Etymology

Origin of small circle

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Justice Department says that Van Dyke “participated in the planning and execution of the U.S. military operation,” leaving him in the small circle of humans who could blow the secret.

From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026

The source said they were not part of that small circle.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

At age 39, Jordan joins a small circle of Black actors who have won the prestigious best actor Oscar, after Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker and Will Smith.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

The analysis by the Central Intelligence Agency was briefed to President Trump and shared with a small circle of senior administration officials, according to two of the people.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026

Wab snorted and walked in a small circle, shaking her head.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023