Related Searches
Nearby Words
Synonyms

circumference

 [ser-kuhm-fer-uhns]   Origin

cir·cum·fer·ence

   [ser-kuhm-fer-uhns]
noun
1.
the outer boundary, especially of a circular area; perimeter: the circumference of a circle.
2.
the length of such a boundary: a one-mile circumference.
3.
the area within a bounding line: the vast circumference of his mind.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin circumferentia, equivalent to circum- circum- + fer- (stem of ferre to carry) + -entia -ence

Can be confused: circumference, diameter, radius, tangent.

Synonyms
1. periphery, circuit.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To circumference

:10

:09

:08

:07

:06

:05

:04

:03

:02

:01

Circumference is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Collins
World English Dictionary
circumference (səˈkʌmfərəns)
 
—n
1.  the boundary of a specific area or geometric figure, esp of a circle
2.  the length of a closed geometric curve, esp of a circle. The circumference of a circle is equal to the diameter multiplied by π
 
[C14: from Old French circonference, from Latin circumferre to carry around, from circum- + ferre to bear]
 
circumferential
 
—adj
 
circumfer'entially
 
—adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

circumference
1393, from L. circumferentia, neut. pl. of circumferens prp. of circumferre (loan-transl. of Gk. periphereia "rotundity, periphery"), from circum "around" + ferre "to carry" (see infer).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
circumference   (sər-kŭm'fər-əns)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. The boundary line of a circle.

  2. The boundary line of a figure, area, or object.

  3. The length of such a boundary. The circumference of a circle is computed by multiplying the diameter by pi.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
circumference [(suhr-kum-fuhr-uhns)]

The measure of the distance around a circle.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Partners:WordBloglinesCitysearchThe Daily BeastAsk AnswersAsk KidsLife123SendoriThesaurus
Dictionary.com, LLC. Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.
About Privacy Policy Terms of Use API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Help
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT
How many words do you know? FIND OUT