a closed plane curve consisting of all points at a given distance from a point within it called the center. Equation

x 2 y 2 r 2

the portion of a plane bounded by such a curve.

any circular or ringlike object, formation, or arrangement

a circle of dancers.

a ring, circlet, or crown.

the ring of a circus.

a section of seats in a theater

dress circle.

the area within which something acts, exerts influence, etc.; realm; sphere

A politician has a wide circle of influence.

a series ending where it began, esp. when perpetually repeated; cycle

the circle of the year.

Logic . an argument ostensibly proving a conclusion but actually assuming the conclusion or its equivalent as a premise; vicious circle.

a complete series forming a connected whole; cycle

the circle of the sciences.

a number of persons bound by a common tie; coterie

a literary circle; a family circle.

Government . an administrative division, esp. of a province.

Geography . a parallel of latitude.

Astronomy .

(formerly) the orbit of a heavenly body.

meridian circle.

Surveying . a glass or metal disk mounted concentrically with the spindle of a theodolite or level and graduated so that the angle at which the alidade is set may be read.

a sphere or orb

the circle of the earth.

a ring of light in the sky; halo.

to enclose in a circle; surround; encircle

Circle the correct answer on the exam paper. The enemy circled the hill.

to move in a circle or circuit around; rotate or revolve around

He circled the house cautiously.

to change course so as to pass by or avoid collision with; bypass; evade

The ship carefully circled the iceberg.

to move in a circle or circuit

The plane circled for half an hour before landing.

Movies, Television . to iris (usually fol. by in or out ). ?

circle the wagons

(in the early U.S. West) to form the wagons of a covered-wagon train into a circle for defensive purposes, as against Indian attack.

Slang . to prepare for an all-out, unaided defensive fight

The company has circled the wagons since its market share began to decline.

noun

amphitheater , aureole , band , belt , bowl , bracelet , circlet , circuit , circumference , circus , cirque , coil , colure , compass , cordon , corona , crown , cycle , disc , disk , ecliptic , enclosure , equator , full turn , globe , halo , hoop , horizon , lap , meridian , orbit , parallel of latitude , perimeter , periphery , record , revolution , ring , ringlet , round , sphere , stadium , tire , turn , vortex , wheel , wreath , zodiac , assembly , bunch , cabal , camarilla , camp , clan , class , clique , club , companions , company , comrades , coterie , crew , cronies , crowd , crush , fraternity , gang , in-group , insiders , intimates , lot , mafia , mob , outfit , party , posse , school , set , society , sorority , gyre , tour , group , arena , bailiwick , department , domain , field , province , realm , scene , subject , terrain , territory , world , ambit , annulation , annulus , circularity , circumlocution , epicycle , girth , henge , itineration , loop , orb , periplus , rotary , rotundity , spheroidicity

verb

begird , belt , cincture , circuit , circulate , circumduct , circumscribe , coil , compass , curve , embrace , encircle , enclose , encompass , ensphere , envelop , gird , girdle , gyrate , gyre , hem in , loop , mill around , pivot , revolve , ring , roll , rotate , round , spiral , surround , tour , wheel , whirl , wind about , beset , environ , hedge , hem , circumvolve , orbit , associates , bowl , circlet , circumference , clique , collet , company , cordon , corona , coronet , coterie , crowd , cycle , describe , disc , disk , equator , fraternity , globe , group , halo , hoop , lap , orb , radius , realm , revolution , ringlet , rink , rotary , set , sorority , sphere , swirl , system , turn , twirl