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

In its early years, it was located smack in the middle of the grounds, a beaconing festival-goers with beats, cirque performances and the all-important misters.

From Los Angeles Times

Mann also took her cues from Teatro ZinZanni, a cirque entertainment show inside the Lotte Hotel Seattle that is celebrating 25 years.

From Los Angeles Times

This mile-long paved trail, which goes by bogs, meadows and waterfalls, leads to a stunning lake in a cirque surrounded by mountains.

From New York Times

The last pockets of snow were visible on a distant cirque.

From New York Times

The trail takes you through aspen, birch and pine groves until it reaches a small basalt column cirque with a peaceful waterfall.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• ring
• sphere