cirque

[ surk ]

noun

1. circle; ring.
2. a bowl-shaped, steep-walled mountain basin carved by glaciation, often containing a small, round lake.

cirque

/ sɜːk /

noun

1. Also calledcorriecwm a semicircular or crescent-shaped basin with steep sides and a gently sloping floor formed in mountainous regions by the erosive action of a glacier
2. archaeol an obsolete term for circle
3. poetic.
   a circle, circlet, or ring

cirque

/ sûrk /

1. A steep, amphitheatre-shaped hollow occurring at the upper end of a mountain valley, especially one forming the head of a glacier or stream. Cirques are formed by the erosive activity of glaciers and often contain a small lake.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cirque¹

1595–1605; < French < Latin circus; circus

Word History and Origins

Origin of cirque¹

C17: from French, from Latin circus ring, circle, circus

Example Sentences

Thursday, first responders rushed onto the sand near a Cirque du Soleil Kooza set up on the beach to try to free a person trapped under a silver SUV, according to KABC.

From Los Angeles Times

And don’t necessarily consider it a theater, either, although its current programming includes a Cirque du Soleil favorite.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the more intriguing programming pieces of Cosm’s early slate is a production of Cirque du Soleil’s “O.”

From Los Angeles Times

George was too busy travelling the world with the Cirque du Soleil and Edward was in Toronto, Canada, where his partner worked at a hotel, Mrs Malyon says.

From BBC

Rappelling on a giant pink boa that has descended from the heavens, the drag artist known as Sasha Velour makes a flying entrance worthy of Cirque du Soleil.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ring
• sphere