surrounding

American  

[suh-roun-ding] / səˈraʊn dɪŋ /

noun

1. something that surrounds.

2. surroundings, environing things, circumstances, conditions, etc.; environment.

   He was too sick to be aware of his surroundings.

3. the act of encircling or enclosing.

---

adjective

1. enclosing or encircling.

2. being the environment or adjacent area.

Related Words

See environment.

Etymology

Origin of surrounding

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English: literally “inundation”; surround, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

It said it would be seeking clarification on the circumstances surrounding the decision.

From BBC

Officials said on Sunday investigators located a vehicle tied to the suspects, where they temporarily evacuated the surrounding area and recovered a third suspicious device.

From The Wall Street Journal

BBC News approached the charity multiple times to ask for a comment in light of the latest controversy surrounding Andrew and Epstein, but it has not responded.

From BBC

The research team carefully examined the surrounding rock layers and confirmed that the sediments were indeed turbidites.

From Science Daily

A police helicopter was also scrambled to fly at low level over the bare upland hills and farm tracks surrounding the reservoir, on the lookout for vehicles or tents.

From BBC

Related Words

• neighboring