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 • Dec. 13, 2025

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 • Oct. 9, 2025

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 • Sep. 13, 2025

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 • Jul. 20, 2025

I make a traffic circle the eye and bring down boulevards to lead to the mouth, and Ebony giggles above me, taps her cane.

From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini

Related Words

• roundabout