circularity

[ sur-kyuh-lar-i-tee ]

noun

1. the state or quality of being in the shape or form of a circle:

   Circularity is the measurement of the roundness of the individual coins.

   Her tasseled yellow hijab accentuated the almost complete circularity of her face.

2. the state or quality of moving or occurring in a cycle:

   Detritus ecosystems flourish and collapse because they lack the sustaining circularity of other kinds of ecosystems.

   The circularity of history provides instruction, correction, and guidance.

3. (of reasoning or logic) the quality of having a conclusion that has been assumed as a premise:

   Despite the apparent circularity, the implication that "public goods should be public" seems like a natural one.

   Circularity is the hallmark of this chain of reasoning, which appears to conflate the process of creating the rule with the process of justifying it.

4. the practice of encouraging reuse, recycling, or sustainability in consumption, manufacturing, etc.:

   For the coming year, we intend to focus on sustainability and on closing the loop and bringing circularity into our purchasing and consuming behavior.

   Several new technologies are enabling infrastructure to be designed with greater circularity.

Other Words From

• sub·cir·cu·lar·i·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of circularity¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin circulāritas , equivalent to circular ( def ) + -ity ( def )

Example Sentences

Do you see the problem of circularity here?

From Salon

Stewart Harris, an industry spokesperson with the International Council of Chemical Associations, said the members want a treaty that focuses on recycling plastic and reuse, sometimes referred to as “circularity.”

From Seattle Times

“But I would separate the production of plastic from the need to manage end-of-use plastic and to improve circularity.”

From Seattle Times

It’s true that the storytelling does involve some repetition and circularity, and I imagine that some will find “Constellation” frustrating — you do have to go with its flow — but everything is to the point.

From Los Angeles Times

A number of startups have created middleman services to streamline the process or increase “circularity” by diverting returns to online resellers or charities, but the problem persists in grotesquely large quantities.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• chain reaction
• vicious cycle