semicircle

noun
semi·​cir·​cle | \ ˈse-mē-ˌsər-kəl How to pronounce semicircle (audio) , ˈse-ˌmī-, -mi-\

Definition of semicircle

1 : a half of a circle
2 : an object or arrangement of objects in the form of a half circle

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Other Words from semicircle

semicircular \ ˌse-​mē-​ˈsər-​kyə-​lər How to pronounce semicircular (audio) , ˌse-​ˌmī-​ , -​mi-​ \ adjective

Examples of semicircle in a Sentence

The children sat in a semicircle. The houses are built in a semicircle.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the backyard, Harris supporters formed a sweaty semicircle around the deck. Eren Orbey, The New Yorker, "How Iowans Greeted Kamala Harris After Her Debate Breakthrough," 6 July 2019 The elevated platform was necessary to make the lanky right-hander visible to reporters on the outer rings of the semicircle that formed for his post-game address. Los Angeles Times, "Japanese teen’s triple-digit fastball has some calling him the next Shohei Ohtani," 26 July 2019 Huddled and moving in semicircles to the command of a blue dot on a smartphone, the group looks lost. Aimee Lewis, CNN, "Megan Rapinoe: USWNT captain, World Cup winner and campaigner for social justice," 28 June 2019 During the feast following, Dani is led away to bless the crops, while Christian is led away to, uh, mate with Maja, surrounded by a dozen naked women in a semicircle who sing and match Maja’s breathing. Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "Midsommar’s twisted ending, explained," 3 July 2019 When the news conference began, the workers assembled in a semicircle, still without speaking. Vivian Wang, New York Times, "Inside the Stealth Campaign for ‘Responsible Rent Reform’," 10 June 2019 In the Brexit referendum, sixty-one per cent of voters in Weymouth and Portland were in favor of leaving the E.U. When Liebling visited, there were families were making a day of it on the beach, which arcs in a semicircle around the bay. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, "A D Day Journey in the Spirit of A. J. Liebling," 7 June 2019 This drew chuckles from a group that has its share of maladies: half of those in the semicircle for the meeting were using wheelchairs or walkers. John Hanc, New York Times, "86 and Opening Closet Doors at the Hebrew Home," 21 June 2018 Brush some melted chocolate on flat side of halves and dip into black sanding sugar for wings Cut a thin slice from the flat side of an orange spice drop and cut the slice in half to make feet (2 semicircles). Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "Snowy Cookie Truffles," 30 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'semicircle.' 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 semicircle

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for semicircle

Latin semicirculus, from semi- + circulus circle

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More Definitions for semicircle

semicircle

noun

English Language Learners Definition of semicircle

: half of a circle
: an arrangement of people or things that forms a semicircle

semicircle

noun
semi·​cir·​cle | \ ˈse-mi-ˌsər-kəl How to pronounce semicircle (audio) \

Kids Definition of semicircle

: half of a circle