encircle

American  

[en-sur-kuhl] / ɛnˈsɜr kəl /

verb (used with object)

encircled, encircling

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

   to encircle an enemy.

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

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encircle British  

/ ɪnˈsɜːkəl /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• encirclement noun
• encircling adjective
• unencircled adjective

Etymology

Origin of encircle

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

Explanation

To encircle is to surround, or to make a circle around. On the last night of summer camp, the counselors and campers traditionally encircle the campfire and sing songs. Prisons are encircled by barbed wire fences, and hot, damp pavement encircles most public swimming pools. When you hug your little sister, you encircle her with your arms. If your tomato plants are growing too tall and flopping over, you should encircle them with twine to hold them up. Encircle adds the prefix en-, "make or put in" to circle, from its Latin root circus, or "ring."

Example Sentences

Thirty-six dancers with raised arms glide slowly forward as they encircle their prey, a lone figure on a red table in a climactic scene from Ravel's "Bolero" choreographed by Maurice Bejart.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

It already displays two prominent, sweeping arms that encircle a bright central bulge, stretching across about 30,000 light-years.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2025

They constructed a 35-mile earthen berm around the city in an attempt to encircle its one million residents.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

So Russia has changed tactics, moving instead to encircle the city, cutting off supply routes.

From BBC • May 28, 2025

My fingers encircle a blackberry and pluck it from its stem.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• enclose
• encompass
• envelop
• surround