surround

American  

[suh-round] / səˈraʊnd /

verb (used with object)

1. to enclose on all sides; encompass.

   She was surrounded by reporters.

2. to form an enclosure around; encircle.

   A stone wall surrounds the estate.

3. to enclose (a body of troops, a fort or town, etc.) so as to cut off communication or retreat.

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noun

1. something that surrounds, as the area, border, etc., around an object or central space.

   a tile surround for the shower stall.

2. environment or setting.

   The designer created a Persian surround for the new restaurant.

3. Hunting.

   1. a means of hunting in which wild animals are encircled and chased into a special spot that makes their escape impossible.

   2. the act of hunting by this means.

   3. the location encircled by hunters using this means.

surround British  

/ səˈraʊnd /

verb

1. to encircle or enclose or cause to be encircled or enclosed

2. to deploy forces on all sides of (a place or military formation), so preventing access or retreat

3. to exist around

   I dislike the people who surround her

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noun

1. a border, esp the area of uncovered floor between the walls of a room and the carpet or around an opening or panel

2. 1. a method of capturing wild beasts by encircling the area in which they are believed to be

   2. the area so encircled

Other Word Forms

• presurround verb (used with object)
• surrounding adjective

Etymology

Origin of surround

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English surounden “to inundate, submerge,” from Anglo-French surounder, Middle French s(o)ronder, from Late Latin superundāre “to overflow,” equivalent to Latin super- super- + undāre “to flood,” derivative of unda “wave” ( undulate ); current spelling by analysis as sur- ¹ + round ¹ (verb)

Example Sentences

A magnitude-four event in the UK and surrounding areas is typically recorded every three to four years, and a magnitude-five event happens every few decades - with the most recent one in 2008 in Lincolnshire.

From BBC

After arguably the greatest year in the club's history, Crystal Palace will begin 2026 out of form and surrounded by an air of uncertainty.

From BBC

A screen grab of along the trail to Jordan Hot Springs a charred tree sits surrounded by White Thorn Bush.

From Los Angeles Times

She lived surrounded by animals, whose cause she embraced after retiring from the movies at 38 years old.

From The Wall Street Journal

So far, he has had little noticeable impact on the stocks, though some concerns have increased surrounding AI infrastructure.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• besiege
• circle
• envelop
• inundate
• ring