annular

American  

[an-yuh-ler] / ˈæn yə lər /

adjective

1. having the form of a ring.

2. (of a carpenter's nail) having a series of concentric grooves to improve holding power.

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annular British  

/ ˈænjʊlə, ˌænjʊˈlærɪtɪ /

adjective

1. ring-shaped; of or forming a ring

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annular Scientific  

/ ăn′yə-lər /

1. Forming or shaped like a ring.

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Other Word Forms

• annularity noun
• annularly adverb
• interannular adjective

Etymology

Origin of annular

1565–75; < Latin annulāris, equivalent to annul ( us ) ring (variant of ānulus ) + -āris -ar ¹

Compare meaning

How does annular compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• annular vs. total eclipse

Example Sentences

Ryan Imperio has been named the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year for a photograph that captures the progression of Baily’s beads during the 2023 annular eclipse.

From BBC • Sep. 12, 2024

I have an assortment of neutral density filters because I had previously photographed an annular eclipse, when the moon is farther away in its Earth orbit and therefore doesn’t block the entirety of the sun.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 14, 2024

Further examination of the radially polarized beam behavior when focused with an annular shape revealed that the longitudinal field is greatly enhanced.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2024

In a total eclipse, the Moon fully blocks the Sun from Earth view, while during an annular eclipse, a narrow ring of sunlight can be seen encircling the Moon.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2024

To hold the piston rings or ring in place, a junk ring is employed, being an annular ring bolted to the piston.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua