circumference

[ser-kuhm-fer-uh ns] /sərˈkʌm fər əns/
noun
1.
the outer boundary, especially of a circular area; perimeter:
the circumference of a circle.
2.
the length of such a boundary:
a one-mile circumference.
3.
the area within a bounding line:
the vast circumference of his mind.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Late Latin circumferentia, equivalent to circum- circum- + fer- (stem of ferre to carry) + -entia -ence
Can be confused
circumference, diameter, radius, tangent.
Synonyms
1. periphery, circuit.
British Dictionary definitions for circumference

circumference

/səˈkʌmfərəns/
noun
1.
the boundary of a specific area or geometric figure, esp of a circle
2.
the length of a closed geometric curve, esp of a circle. The circumference of a circle is equal to the diameter multiplied by π
Derived Forms
circumferential (səˌkʌmfəˈrɛnʃəl) adjective
circumferentially, adverb
Word Origin
C14: from Old French circonference, from Latin circumferre to carry around, from circum- + ferre to bear
Word Origin and History for circumference
n.

late 14c., from Latin circumferentia, neuter plural of circumferens, present participle of circumferre "to lead around, take around, carry around," from circum "around" (see circum-) + ferre "to carry" (see infer). A loan-translation of Greek periphereia "periphery, the line round a circular body," literally "a carrying round" (see periphery). Related: Circumferential.

circumference in Science
circumference
  (sər-kŭm'fər-əns)   

  1. The boundary line of a circle.

  2. The boundary line of a figure, area, or object.

  3. The length of such a boundary. The circumference of a circle is computed by multiplying the diameter by pi.


circumference in Culture
circumference [(suhr-kum-fuhr-uhns)]

The measure of the distance around a circle.