- present participle of surround.
surrounding
Americannoun
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something that surrounds.
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surroundings, environing things, circumstances, conditions, etc.; environment.
He was too sick to be aware of his surroundings.
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the act of encircling or enclosing.
adjective
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enclosing or encircling.
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being the environment or adjacent area.
Synonym Usage
See environment.
Etymology
Origin of surrounding
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English: literally “inundation”; see origin at surround, -ing 1, -ing 2
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 crater's circular shape, central peak, and distinctive surrounding fault pattern resembled features seen at known impact sites around the world.
From Science Daily • Jun. 30, 2026
Dundry Hill, which is located just outside Bristol, Troopers Hill in St George and Perrett's Park, near Knowle, all offer high views across the city and the surrounding countryside.
From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026
EchoStar had previously said it wasn’t making these payments because of uncertainty surrounding a review by the Federal Communications Commission.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026
High-power microwave systems are generally less vulnerable to rain, fog or smoke than lasers, but still depend on line of sight, range, beam control and the surrounding electromagnetic environment.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 29, 2026
The badger stepped back, surveying the surrounding forest with obvious confusion.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
