Meaning & use
closed-circuit
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Relating to a television system that sends signals by cable to a limited set of screens, not broadcast publicly.
Grammar: Usually before a noun: closed-circuit television. Often abbreviated CCTV.
Patterns
- closed-circuit television
- closed-circuit camera
The building is monitored by closed-circuit television.
They watched the surgery on a closed-circuit feed.
adjectivebefore a nountechnical
Describing an electrical circuit that forms a complete, unbroken loop through which current can flow.
Grammar: Used before a noun: a closed-circuit system.
Patterns
- closed-circuit system
The technician checked that the closed-circuit was complete.
A closed-circuit allows electricity to flow continuously.
Common combinations
- closed-circuit television
- The store uses closed-circuit television to prevent theft.
- closed-circuit camera
- A closed-circuit camera recorded the event.
- closed-circuit system
- The alarm is part of a closed-circuit system.
Synonyms and how they differ
- CCTV
- Abbreviation for closed-circuit television, used especially in British English.
Opposites
Commonly confused: closed-circuit or circuit?
closed-circuit vs circuit
A circuit is any path for electricity; closed-circuit specifically means a complete loop.
Practice
What does 'closed-circuit television' mean?
Choose one answer.
Closed-circuit television sends signals by cable to a limited set of screens, not broadcast publicly. Option 2 is the electrical sense, not the television sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “closed-circuit”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.