ENGLISH
REFERENCE

circumference

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌsɝˈkəmfɹəns// UK //sɜːkˈʌmfɹəns// cir·cum·fer·ence Archaic

n. the distance all the way around the edge of a circle or a round object.

n. the perimeter of a circle or any closed curve; the linear distance around the exterior of a curved object.


SIMPLE

The circumference of the earth is about 40,000 kilometers.

CONTEXTUAL

To find the diameter, you can measure the circumference of the pipe and divide it by pi.

COMPLEX

The architect calculated the exact circumference of the dome to ensure the glass panels would fit perfectly around the structural frame.

Synonyms
Origin

From Latin circumferentia, from circum (“around”) + ferō (“I carry”). Displaced native Old English ymbgang.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the abstract mathematical property; countable when referring to the specific measurement of an object.

Pitfall

the circumference of the squarethe perimeter of the squareCircumference is used specifically for circles and curved shapes, while perimeter is used for straight-edged shapes.

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