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
The circus has cemented India's standing as cricket's undisputed powerhouse.
—
Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Instead of a frame, there’s only a single central pole, which is then staked out in all directions, kind of like a circus tent.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
Wade had to know that any wince or grimace would have worsened the social-media circus that was sure to come.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024
The title is a blend of the Chinese words for ‘food’ and ‘joy’ and the setting is a circus tent where a ragtag film crew is busy shooting a gourmet movie.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for circus 
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Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Instead of a frame, there’s only a single central pole, which is then staked out in all directions, kind of like a circus tent.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
Wade had to know that any wince or grimace would have worsened the social-media circus that was sure to come.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024
The title is a blend of the Chinese words for ‘food’ and ‘joy’ and the setting is a circus tent where a ragtag film crew is busy shooting a gourmet movie.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for circus
Dictionary Entries Near circus
Cite this Entry
“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circus. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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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