circumference

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The distance all the way around a circle.

   Grammar: Used as a countable noun: 'a circumference of 10 cm' or 'the circumference is 10 cm'.

   Patterns

   • the circumference of a circle
   • have a circumference of something
   • measure the circumference

   The circumference of the circle is about 31.4 centimeters.

   To find the circumference, multiply the diameter by pi.

   She measured the circumference of the tree trunk with a tape.

2. 2nouncountable

   The outer boundary or edge of a round object or area.

   Grammar: Often used with 'on' or 'around': 'on the circumference', 'around the circumference'.

   Patterns

   • on the circumference
   • around the circumference
   • the circumference of something

   The dots are placed at equal intervals around the circumference.

   The city lies on the circumference of a large volcanic crater.

Word forms

Common combinations

measure the circumference

Use a string to measure the circumference of the jar.

the circumference of a circle

The formula for the circumference of a circle is 2πr.

waist circumference

Doctors often check waist circumference as a health indicator.

around the circumference

The lights were arranged around the circumference of the stage.

Synonyms and how they differ

perimeter

Use 'perimeter' for the distance around any shape, especially straight-sided ones; 'circumference' is mainly for circles.

girth

'Girth' is the distance around a thick object like a tree or a person's body, not a mathematical circle.

Word family

circumferential adjective

Relating to the circumference; going around the outside.

Commonly confused: circumference or area? circumference or diameter?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “circumference”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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