a circle of which a segment represents the shortest distance between two points on the surface of the earth.
Origin
1585-95
Examples from the web for great circle
We had a few hours between trains and were taken by a guide for a walk eastward in a great circle.
Everyone recognizes that in the great circle of life, some individuals have to lose so that others can survive.
Not only does it find distances, it draws great circle routes between points.
Any straight line drawn on the map is on a great circle, but directions are true only from center point of projection.
The shortest path between two points on the surface of a sphere lies along a great circle.
The intermediate result c is the great circle distance in radians.
British Dictionary definitions for great circle
great circle
noun
1.
a circular section of a sphere that has a radius equal to that of the sphere Compare small circle
great circle in Science
great circle A circle on the surface of a sphere whose plane passes through the center of the sphere. The Earth's equator is a great circle on the sphere of the globe.