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
circuited; circuiting; circuits
: to make a circuit about
a route that circuits the Back Bay section of the city
: to make a circuit
Potential buyers circuited around the boatyard.
Synonyms
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
Yuval Boger, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
The film has already toured the festival circuit, making stops at the Houston Asian American Pacific Islander (HAAPI) Film Festival and the Asian Film Festival Barcelona among others.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for circuit 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
For instance, combining a hardware vendor’s knowledge of quantum circuits with an algorithm specialist’s ability to optimize complex processes can lead to breakthroughs in resource allocation or risk management.
—Yuval Boger, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
The film has already toured the festival circuit, making stops at the Houston Asian American Pacific Islander (HAAPI) Film Festival and the Asian Film Festival Barcelona among others.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 5 Nov. 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
See all Example Sentences for circuit
Dictionary Entries Near circuit
Cite this Entry
“Circuit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circuit. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical 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
Helen Fisher, The Wall Street JournalLegal 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
V. M. SherLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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