Circumference

/sərˈkʌmfərəns/

Meaning & Definition

noun
The distance around the edge of a circle or a round object.
The circumference of the circle was measured to be 31.4 centimeters.
The perimeter or border of a circular object.
To find the circumference of the pond, we used a measuring tape.
In geometry, the term is often used in calculations involving circles.
Students calculated the circumference of several different circles during their math lesson.
The outer boundary of an area or object.
We walked the entire circumference of the ancient fortress.

Etymology

From Latin 'circumferentia', from 'circum' meaning 'around' and 'ferre' meaning 'to carry'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

circumference of a circle
The total distance around the circle, which can be calculated using the formula C = πd or C = 2πr.
to draw a circumference
To create a circle defined by its perimeter.

Related Words

radius
The distance from the center of the circle to any point on its circumference.
diameter
A straight line passing from side to side through the center of a circle.

Slang Meanings

A term used informally to refer to someone's waist size.
He's been hitting the gym, trying to reduce his circumference.