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winner's circle

American  

noun

  1. a small, usually circular area or enclosure at a racetrack where awards are bestowed on winning mounts and their jockeys.

  2. any select group of winners, achievers, or those that have been accepted as worthy.

    the winner's circle of fine wines.

Etymology

Origin of winner's circle

First recorded in 1950–55

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.

That positivity, some awards prognosticators contend, may have moved “Sinners” within striking distance of the winner’s circle at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

"I really, over the off-season, was motivated to get back in the winner's circle," Korda said.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

Back in the winner's circle and up to third in the world rankings, Scotland's Higgins is another player from the sport's famed 'Class of 92' who cannot be overlooked.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2025

When a horse named Prized won the Arcadia Handicap at Santa Anita on March 4, the proud owners headed for the winner’s circle at trackside.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2024

Howard wanted to take her to the winner’s circle, but she decided to stay where she was.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

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.