great circle

noun

1. a circle on a spherical surface such that the plane containing the circle passes through the center of the sphere. Compare small circle.
2. a circle of which a segment represents the shortest distance between two points on the surface of the earth.

great circle

noun

1. a circular section of a sphere that has a radius equal to that of the sphere Compare small circle

great circle

1. A circle on the surface of a sphere whose plane passes through the center of the sphere. The Earth's equator is a great circle on the sphere of the globe.

Word History and Origins

Origin of great circle¹

First recorded in 1585–95