circus

[ sur-kuhs ]

noun

, plural cir·cus·es.

1. a large public entertainment, typically presented in one or more very large tents or in an outdoor or indoor arena, featuring exhibitions of pageantry, feats of skill and daring, performing animals, etc., interspersed throughout with the slapstick antics of clowns. Compare big top.
2. a troupe of performers, especially a traveling troupe, that presents such entertainments, together with officials, other employees, and the company's performing animals, traveling wagons, tents, cages, and equipment.
3. anything resembling such public entertainments, as an event or activity that is wildly active, disordered, sensational, etc.:

   That whole trial was a circus.

4. a circular arena surrounded by tiers of seats, in which public entertainments are held; arena.
5. (in ancient Rome)
   1. a large, usually oblong or oval, roofless enclosure, surrounded by tiers of seats rising one above another, for chariot races, public games, etc.
   2. an entertainment given in this Roman arena, as a chariot race or public game:

      The Caesars appeased the public with bread and circuses.

6. anything resembling the Roman circus, or arena, as a natural amphitheater or a circular range of houses.
7. flying circus.
8. British. an open circle, square, or plaza where several streets converge:

   Piccadilly Circus.

9. Obsolete. a circlet or ring.

circus

/ ˈsɜːkəs /

noun

1. a travelling company of entertainers such as acrobats, clowns, trapeze artistes, and trained animals
2. a public performance given by such a company
3. an oval or circular arena, usually tented and surrounded by tiers of seats, in which such a performance is held
4. a travelling group of professional sportsmen

   a cricket circus

5. in ancient Rome
   1. an open-air stadium, usually oval or oblong, for chariot races or public games
   2. the games themselves
6. 1. an open place, usually circular, in a town, where several streets converge
   2. ( capital when part of a name )

      Piccadilly Circus

7. informal.
   noisy or rowdy behaviour
8. informal.
   a person or group of people whose behaviour is wild, disorganized, or (esp unintentionally) comic

Other Words From

• cir·cus·y adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of circus¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin: “circular region of the sky, oval space in which games were held,” akin to (or borrowed from) Greek kírkos “ring, circle”

Word History and Origins

Origin of circus¹

C16: from Latin, from Greek kirkos ring

Idioms and Phrases

see three-ring circus .

Example Sentences

In total, fifteen Together At Christmas services will take place around the country, including at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and Blackpool Tower Circus.

From BBC

Around 20 jugglers, trapeze artists and concession stand workers are filtering into the big top that the majestic Circus Vargas uses to perform across 25 California cities 11 months out of the year.

From Los Angeles Times

He was taken to Boswell Wilkie Circus in South Africa and trained to perform tricks.

From BBC

Gravity Circus said its "primary concern" was the wellbeing of the performer and it was conducting a "thorough" investigation.

From BBC

The Pink Friday 2 tour is expected to gross more than $120 million and may rival Travis Scott’s Circus Maximus, a tour that has the second highest gross by any rapper.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• festival
• spectacle