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REFERENCE

circuit

n.
US //ˈsɝkət// UK //sˈɜːkɪt// cir·cuit
  1. 1 electrical path (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

    the complete path that an electric current flows through.

    a closed loop or path through which an electric current flows, typically including a power source and various components.

    Example

    The lights went out because there was a problem with the electrical circuit.

    Example

    The engineer identified a faulty capacitor that was causing the entire integrated circuit to overheat during high-speed processing.

    Usage

    Often used with 'short' to describe a fault where the current takes an unintended path.
  2. 2 racing track (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    a track used for racing cars, motorcycles, or bicycles.

    a track or course, typically circular or looping, used for competitive racing.

    Example

    The drivers completed fifty laps of the circuit before the rain started.

    Example

    The Silverstone circuit is renowned among Formula One drivers for its high-speed corners and challenging technical sections.
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  1. 3 professional route (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a regular journey from place to place to do a job, like a judge or a performer.

    a regular journey or series of visits made by a professional, such as a judge, preacher, or entertainer, to specific locations within a territory.

    Example

    The comedian spent three months on the comedy club circuit across the country.

    Example

    Before the establishment of permanent courts, judges traveled a fixed circuit to hear cases in rural districts twice a year.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the phrases 'judicial circuit' or 'lecture circuit'.
  2. 4 fitness training (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    a series of different exercises that you do one after another.

    a form of conditioning or resistance training using high-intensity aerobics and several different exercises performed in a sequence.

    Example

    Our gym instructor designed a difficult circuit that includes jumping jacks and weights.

    Example

    To improve her cardiovascular endurance, she incorporated a twenty-minute circuit into her morning training regime three times a week.
  3. 5 a complete loop (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    the act of moving all the way around something in a circle.

    the act of moving or revolving around a central point or along a boundary; a single complete revolution.

    Example

    The moon makes a slow circuit around the earth every month.

    Example

    The hikers completed a full circuit of the lake, returning to their starting point just as the sun began to set.
Etymology 1

From Middle English circuit, from Old French circuit, from Latin circuitus (“a going round”), from circuire (“go round”), from circum (“around”) + ire.

Etymology 2

A calque of Chinese 道 (dào) or 路 (lù).

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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