surround
Americanverb (used with object)
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surrounds,
present (3rd person singular)
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surrounded,
past participle, past
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surrounding
present participle
noun
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something that surrounds, as the area, border, etc., around an object or central space.
a tile surround for the shower stall.
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environment or setting.
The designer created a Persian surround for the new restaurant.
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Hunting.
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a means of hunting in which wild animals are encircled and chased into a special spot that makes their escape impossible.
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the act of hunting by this means.
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the location encircled by hunters using this means.
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verb
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to encircle or enclose or cause to be encircled or enclosed
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to deploy forces on all sides of (a place or military formation), so preventing access or retreat
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to exist around
I dislike the people who surround her
noun
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a border, esp the area of uncovered floor between the walls of a room and the carpet or around an opening or panel
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-
a method of capturing wild beasts by encircling the area in which they are believed to be
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the area so encircled
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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surroundsimple
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surroundssimple
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have surroundedperfect
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has surroundedperfect
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am surroundingprogressive
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are surroundingprogressive
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is surroundingprogressive
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have been surroundingperfect progressive
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has been surroundingperfect progressive
Past
-
surroundedsimple
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had surroundedperfect
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was surroundingprogressive
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were surroundingprogressive
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had been surroundingperfect progressive
Future
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” ( see undulate); current spelling by analysis as sur- 1 + round 1 (verb)
Explanation
When you think of the word surround, think of something that's around you on all sides, like the trees that surround you in a forest or the people who surround you on a city street at rush hour. Sometimes surround describes the position of troops that force the enemy to surrender. You can also surround your property with a fence, or surround yourself with positive people. Both of these offer a way to protect or strengthen the thing in the middle — your house or your well-being. In a movie theater that has "surround sound," the audience feels like it is in the middle of the action because of the speakers placed all around the space.
Vocabulary lists containing surround
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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.
See Examples For:
"The owners tried to surround it and catch it, but the bull was having none of it," one eyewitness said.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
On the opposite side of the peninsula, the dark waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea surround Sardinia and Sicily.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026
Now questions still surround his campaign about whether he can win over the Black voters who largely rejected him in the primary.
From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2026
Bonner described her leadership style as being a team player, and said she views it as her role to surround herself with strong employees and make the most out of them.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
With her first stride, she felt the spirits surround her.
From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older
Research indicates that it can reduce both subcutaneous fat, which sits directly beneath the skin, and visceral fat, which surrounds internal organs.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026
The front hallway leads to a family room, where intricate built-in shelving surrounds a grand fireplace—one of four in the home.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026
If we don’t get a “three-peat,” at least Dodger fans will enjoy the botanic garden and wonderful landscaping that surrounds the stadium.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026
The cordon surrounds the scene, which is close to the fishing lake, and two camping tents - one of which is white with a navy blue trim - have been pitched.
From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026
Later Maddie made that run several times, ferrying damaged or mended aircraft in and out of the bigger aerodrome that surrounds them and hides them.
From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein
Residents of a north London tower block said they are living a "nightmare", with intruders accessing the scaffolding that has surrounded their homes for the past six years.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
Maggie’s life, to me, sounds similar to what I dream of now: a small rental apartment near friends, in a walkable neighborhood, surrounded by community.
From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2026
The actor died surrounded by his daughter and niece, added the statement.
From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2026
These bacteria are surrounded by protective outer coatings that can help them evade immune defenses.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
Without warning, we’re surrounded by the sound of breaking glass.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
“Paging Hezbollah,” which might be the most useful and informative documentary yet produced about events in Israel and surrounding areas since Oct.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
According to another technical indicator, negative sentiment surrounding Alphabet could be reaching a peak.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
McCusker added needle exchange services "play a vital role in reducing harm" and insisted the "fears and misconceptions" surrounding them must be challenged.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
As it moves upward, the surrounding pressure decreases, reducing the amount of oxygen the molten rock can retain.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 29, 2026
The first step was the laborious process of completely surrounding the hull of the Mary Rose with a 117-foot-long and 49-foot-wide steel framework.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
