- present participle of surround.
surrounding
Americannoun
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something that surrounds.
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surroundings, environing things, circumstances, conditions, etc.; environment.
He was too sick to be aware of his surroundings.
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the act of encircling or enclosing.
adjective
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enclosing or encircling.
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being the environment or adjacent area.
Synonym Usage
See environment.
Etymology
Origin of surrounding
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English: literally “inundation”; see origin at surround, -ing 1, -ing 2
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.
Officers have appealed to anyone who saw a 09-registered black Mercedes Coupe CLC on 8 June, between 15:00 and about 23:30, in Blyth, Cramlington and surrounding areas.
From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026
The crater's circular shape, central peak, and distinctive surrounding fault pattern resembled features seen at known impact sites around the world.
From Science Daily • Jun. 30, 2026
High-power microwave systems are generally less vulnerable to rain, fog or smoke than lasers, but still depend on line of sight, range, beam control and the surrounding electromagnetic environment.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 29, 2026
“For a period of time, there was a measure of confusion surrounding who exactly was steering the trade portfolio. I get the sense that much of that has been resolved.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026
There are still tendrils of mist threaded through the evergreens that rise along the surrounding bluffs.
From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day
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.
