traffic circle

American  

noun

1. a circular arrangement constructed at the intersection of two or more roads in order to facilitate the passage of vehicles from one road to another.

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traffic circle British  

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): roundabout.  a road junction in which traffic streams circulate around a central island

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Etymology

Origin of traffic circle

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

He has proposed building an arch in a traffic circle near Arlington National Cemetery.

From The Wall Street Journal

The plan, featuring small models on a map, shows the arch sitting on a traffic circle near Arlington Cemetery, on the other side of the Potomac River from the white marble Lincoln Memorial.

From Barron's

All day and all night, people drive through the traffic circle entrance to campus, beeping their horns - either supporting or in opposition to Kirk.

From BBC

As part of last year’s restoration, the city also installed bollards at the entrances to Plaza Park, changed the lighting and modified the entrances of the traffic circle to deter vehicles from speeding.

From Los Angeles Times

The traffic circle where Columbus long lent his presence has now been renamed the Women Who Fight roundabout, a rallying point for Indigenous, feminist and other protesters hoisting handwritten placards.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• roundabout