encircle

[ en-sur-kuhl ]

verb (used with object)

, en·cir·cled, en·cir·cling.

1. to form a circle around; surround; encompass:

   to encircle an enemy.

2. to make a circling movement around; make the circuit of.

encircle

/ ɪnˈsɜːkəl /

verb

1. tr to form a circle around; enclose within a circle; surround

Derived Forms

• enˈcirclement, noun
• enˈcircling, adjective

Other Words From

• en·circle·ment noun
• unen·circled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of encircle¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; en- ¹, circle

Example Sentences

"Match day was almost a day when curfew would encircle the family and you had to make sure everyone was home, because there was such a lot of anger and violence," Dr Puwar remembers.

From BBC

Last Monday, Beijing deployed a record number of 153 military aircraft, as well as warships and coast guard vessels to encircle Taiwan in an exercise designed to simulate an attack by land, sea and air.

From BBC

Amid gunfire and Israeli artillery shelling, Palestinian medics say that they have begun moving premature babies and other patients away from Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabalia refugee camp, as troops and tanks encircle it.

From BBC

Together with other bases further north, it could be seen as an attempt by China to encircle the long Vietnamese coast.

From BBC

And this terrible association with Epstein plays out through the film, with Prince Andrew protesting his innocence as the questions and accusations encircle him, until he is hiding from lawyers trying to serve court papers.

From BBC

Related Words

• enclose
• encompass
• envelop
• hem in
• surround