circumference

noun

sər-ˈkəm(p)-fərn(t)s How to pronounce circumference (audio)
Definition of circumferencenext
1
as in diameter
the distance around a round body the circumference of the earth at the equator

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in perimeter
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something a silly little affair that's of interest to no one beyond the circumference of this campus

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of circumference The Sierra Club, an environmental nonprofit, is planning to appeal the permits the city issued to remove five trees from the site, including a black olive with a trunk that’s nearly six feet in circumference. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026 Because of these limitations, physicians usually consider waist circumference, body composition, fitness, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels alongside BMI. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026 Researchers looked at waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 Malnutrition rates were determined by weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) and mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC). — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for circumference
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumference
  1. diameter
  2. perimeter
  3. radius
  4. edge
  5. equator
  6. boundary
  7. rim
  8. border
Noun
  • The wheel, approximately a foot and a half in diameter, weighed 150 to 200 pounds.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Prescriptions cover many details, including base curve and diameter, so the lens fits properly against the eye.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of diameter
Noun
  • The tech behind the GEN8 0311P irons includes dual perimeter weighting that helps dial in shot-shape changes without altering lie or loft.
    — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Tap the fire icon or perimeter outline to view current fire details.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of perimeter
Noun
  • In the last 15 years, Contente said his Kings County area has lost 25 dairies in a five-mile radius.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • And now everyone within a half-mile radius can hear what Smart thinks.
    — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of radius
Noun
  • The negative is that rookie edge Keyron Crawford is out for the year with an ankle injury.
    — Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • China continues to rely on Dutch manufacturer ASML for nearly all of its cutting-edge deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines, while some DUV systems encounter US export restrictions.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • In our solar system, all the planets orbit around the sun in the ecliptic plane, which is a narrow plane aligned with the sun's equator and direction of rotation.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Because the eclipse also occurs close to Earth’s equator, observers remain inside the moon’s shadow for more than six minutes.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of equator
Noun
  • Three different public high schools – Coral Reef Senior High, Terra Environmental Research Institute and Palmetto Senior High – each enroll more students from Killian’s boundary than Killian itself.
    — Austin Horn August 29, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
  • It was conducted on a dedicated testbed, and human engineers still established the safety boundaries and judged the results.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of boundary
Noun
  • Pour slowly over tomatoes and cheese, stopping below crust rim.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Harrison compared it to standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon and looking down.
    — Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of rim
Noun
  • The death toll from the devastating floods and mudslides along the Nepal-China border has risen to at least 676 people, as rescue operations stall amid poor weather.
    — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • On the Chinese side of the border, in the autonomous region of Tibet, the deluge overwhelmed Gyirong Port, a major border crossing with Nepal that, in scenes reminiscent of a disaster movie, appears to have been completely washed away.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of border

Browse Nearby Words

circumambulating
circumference
circumferences
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Cite this Entry

“Circumference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumference. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on circumference

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about circumference

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