circuit

1 of 2

noun

cir·​cuit ˈsər-kət 

often attributive

1

a

: a usually circular line encompassing an area

a swamp about 10 miles in circuit

b

: the space enclosed within such a line

the circuit of the duke's land

2

a

: a course around a periphery

the periodic circuit of the Earth around the Sun

b

: a circuitous or indirect route

The damaged bridge forced him to take a long circuit to his destination.

3

a

: a regular tour (as by a traveling judge or preacher) around an assigned district or territory

The preacher ministered to each congregation in his circuit.

b

: the route traveled

His circuit took him to many towns in the county.

c

: a group of church congregations ministered to by one pastor

4

a

: the complete path of an electric current including usually the source of electric energy

b

: an assemblage of electronic elements : hookup

c

: a two-way communication path between points (as in a computer)

d

: a neuronal pathway of the brain along which electrical and chemical signals travel

5

a

: an association of similar groups : league

b

: a number or series of public outlets (such as theaters, radio shows, or arenas) offering the same kind of presentation

He loved competing on the rodeo circuit.

She rose through the theater circuit to become a big-time entertainer.

c

: a number of similar social gatherings

the cocktail circuit

circuital

ˈsər-kə-tᵊl 

adjective

circuit

2 of 2

verb

circuited; circuiting; circuits

transitive verb

: to make a circuit about

a route that circuits the Back Bay section of the city

intransitive verb

: to make a circuit

Potential buyers circuited around the boatyard.

Synonyms

Verb

• circle
• circumnavigate
• circumvent
• compass
• encircle
• girdle
• orbit
• ring
• round

Examples of circuit in a Sentence

Noun

It takes a year for the Earth to make one circuit around the sun.

Verb

after circuiting the exterior of the church, the procession headed inside

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For those who follow the film festival circuit, Bong Joon-ho’s 2019 Palme d’Or win at the Cannes Film Festival for Parasite seemed like an inevitable and justifiable distinction. —Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 28 Oct. 2024

After the car’s completion in 2018, Hopkins spent the following year showing off the car on the concours circuit. —Howard Walker, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024

Verb

Another option is to make a mini obstacle course or circuit for your child to complete, such as hopping on one foot around the sofa, shimmying under the dining room table, leaping over the backpack, skipping to the kitchen sink, and crab crawling back to the start. —Catherine Holecko, Parents, 30 July 2024

History shows that, inbuilt though that capacity may be, ideas can short-circuit it. —Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2011

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French circuite, from Latin circuitus, from circumire, circuire to go around, from circum- + ire to go — more at issue entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing circuit

• application-specific integrated circuit
• borsch circuit
• borscht circuit
• circuit board
• circuit breaker
• circuit court
• circuit judge
• circuit rider
• closed-circuit
• integrated circuit
• printed circuit
• ride circuit
• short circuit

Kids Definition

circuit

noun

cir·​cuit

ˈsər-kət

1

a

: a boundary around an enclosed space

b

: an enclosed space

2

: a moving or revolving around

the circuit of the earth around the sun

3

: a traveling from place to place in an area (as by a judge) so as to stop in each place at a certain time

also : the route so traveled

4

a

: the complete path of an electric current

b

: a group of electronic elements : hookup

5

a

: league entry 2 sense 2

b

: a number or chain of theaters at which stage shows are shown in turn

Medical Definition

circuit

noun

cir·​cuit ˈsər-kət 

1

: the complete path of an electric current including usually the source of electric energy

2

: a neuronal pathway of the brain along which electrical and chemical signals travel

… the neurons in this brain circuit communicate using the chemical messenger dopamine.

—Helen Fisher, The Wall Street Journal

Legal Definition

circuit

noun

cir·​cuit

1

a

: a route formerly taken by traveling judges

b

: a district established within a state or the federal judicial system

2

capitalized : the court of appeals for a circuit in the federal judicial system

after the 9th Circuit's ruling

—V. M. Sher