often attributive
1
a
: a large arena enclosed by tiers of seats on three or all four sides and used especially for sports or spectacles (such as athletic contests, exhibitions of horsemanship, or in ancient times chariot racing)
b
: a public spectacle
2
a
: an arena often covered by a tent and used for variety shows usually including feats of physical skill, wild animal acts, and performances by clowns
b
: a circus performance
c
: the physical plant, livestock, and personnel of such a circus
d
: something suggestive of a circus (as in frenzied activity, sensationalism, theatricality, or razzle-dazzle)
a media circus
Examples of circus in a Sentence
He worked for a small circus.
We're going to the circus.
Recent Examples on the Web
Not surprisingly, the king of blunt showmanship loved the circus.
—
Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
The actress would go on to win an Emmy for the role, and later fronted an additional three seasons of American Horror Story across the next several years, including as a nun in Asylum, a powerful witch in Coven, and the leader of a traveling circus in Freak Show.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 28 Feb. 2025
The collection here would fit a traveling circus or vaudeville tent.
—Jenny Adams, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2025
Statement fashions, after all, are a huge part of the awards circus: Part of the fun is tuning in to see all of the stars in their finest couture.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
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Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
The actress would go on to win an Emmy for the role, and later fronted an additional three seasons of American Horror Story across the next several years, including as a nun in Asylum, a powerful witch in Coven, and the leader of a traveling circus in Freak Show.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 28 Feb. 2025
The collection here would fit a traveling circus or vaudeville tent.
—Jenny Adams, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2025
Statement fashions, after all, are a huge part of the awards circus: Part of the fun is tuning in to see all of the stars in their finest couture.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Cite this Entry
“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circus. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
circus
noun
cir·cus
ˈsər-kəs 
1
: a large arena enclosed by rows of seats (as in ancient Rome)
2
a
: a show that usually travels from place to place and that has a variety of exhibitions including acrobatic feats, wild animal displays, and performances by clowns
b
: a circus performance
c
: the performers and equipment of such a circus
d
: something that suggests a circus
Etymology
from Latin circus "circle, arena"
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