surrounding

[ suh-roun-ding ]

noun

1. something that surrounds.
2. surroundings, environing things, circumstances, conditions, etc.; environment:

   He was too sick to be aware of his surroundings.

3. the act of encircling or enclosing.

adjective

1. enclosing or encircling.
2. being the environment or adjacent area.

Word History and Origins

Origin of surrounding¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English: literally “inundation”; surround, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Synonym Study

See environment.

Example Sentences

The image below from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows the bomb cyclone and the atmospheric river below it dumping precipitation on Northern California and surrounding states.

From Los Angeles Times

Before the screening, Rachel Mason, a close friend of Hutchins who filmed a documentary about the making of Rust, recalled how difficult it was to complete the movie with all the controversy surrounding it.

From BBC

However, there are still many mysteries surrounding this process.

From Science Daily

The nature of this interaction leads to infinite possibilities for light to exist and propagate, or travel, through its surrounding environment.

From Science Daily

Houses for sale in a flood zone are around 10% cheaper than surrounding areas, according to new research.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• neighboring