circumambulate

verb
cir·​cum·​am·​bu·​late | \ ˌsər-kəm-ˈam-byə-ˌlāt How to pronounce circumambulate (audio) \
circumambulated; circumambulating

Definition of circumambulate

transitive verb

: to circle on foot especially ritualistically

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Other Words from circumambulate

circumambulation \ ˌsər-​kəm-​ˌam-​byə-​ˈlā-​shən How to pronounce circumambulation (audio) \ noun

Examples of circumambulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An aerial view of Muslim pilgrims circumambulating the Grand Mosque in September 2017. Eva Dou, WSJ, "Chinese Surveillance Expands to Muslims Making Mecca Pilgrimage," 31 July 2018 Hajj pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site, located in the center of the Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Aug. 22, 2017. Laignee Barron, Time, "'A Revolutionary Moment.' Activist Mona Eltahawy Talks Sexual Assault, Self-Defense and #MosqueMeToo," 7 Mar. 2018 The minimum of wall text is an invitation to circumambulate. A.j. Goldmann, WSJ, "The Muse Turned Master," 19 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'circumambulate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of circumambulate

1606, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for circumambulate

Late Latin circumambulatus, past participle of circumambulare, from Latin circum- + ambulare to walk

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