Are you looking for ways to abbreviate the word circle? We’re here to help. We’ll define circle. We’ll explain when it should be used as an abbreviation and when it should be included in its entirety. Finally, we’ll provide synonyms and examples of the word in context.
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In academic writing, the abbreviation is not used.
The abbreviation is typically employed in short communications such as notes, inter-office memos, or as a postal code. It’s not very commonly used in long-form writing, outside of technical environments, where circle is a very common descriptive phrase.
For example: Bisect the CIR, then use the diameter to estimate the circumference.
For the sake of clarity, the abbreviation for circle should be used sparingly. Before using the abbreviation, be certain that it will be familiar to the reader. When in doubt, be sure to define an abbreviation the first time you use it.
The Definition of the Word
According to Wikipedia, there are several definitions of the word circle.
In mathematics, a circle is a closed shape with equal distances from its center to every corner. This distance is known as a radius. A circle can also be described as a closed curve, which divides a plane into two sections, interior and exterior. In other words, it’s a two-dimensional shape, which is round. Also, a circle can be defined by its circumference, which is the line that goes around its center. In technical terms, it’s the boundary of a figure known as a disc.
Another definition, according to Lumen Learning, describes a circle as a type of eclipse, where the radius is the same for all points. A circle is also defined as a plane figure, bound by one line, such that all the right lines drawn from the circumference to the center are equal.
The other meaning of a circle is a group of people with a shared profession, or shared interests, activities, or acquaintances.
For example: The knitting circle meets every second Friday of the month. Trust holds our circle of friends together.
As a verb, circle means revolving or drawing a circle around.
For example: The airplane circled the airport.
History of the Word
The word circle is derived from the Greek word kirkos/kuklos, which means a hoop or a ring.
The concept of a circle dates back before the first usage of the word in 1700 B.C. According to the Greeks, the Egyptians were the inventors of geometry. Ahmes, the author of the Rhind Papyrus, defined a rule to determine the area of a circle. Around 650 B.C., Thales wrote the first theorems concerning circles. In Plato’s Seventh Letter, the concept of a circle is explained in detail.
According to the Oxford Collocations Dictionary, the term circle originates from the Latin word circulus, “small ring,” or circus, “ring.”
In the United States, the abbreviation for circle is mostly used in postal addresses. It’s defined by the USPS, as follows:
Primary Street Suffix Name
Commonly Used Street Suffix or Abbreviation
Postal Service Standard Suffix Abbreviation
CIRCLE
CIR
CIR
CIRC
CIR
CIR
CIRCL
CIR
CIR
CIRCLE
CIR
CIR
CRCL
CIR
CIR
CRCLE
CIR
CIR
CIRCLES
CIRCLES
CIRS
Synonyms for Circle
Ring
Loop
Wheel
Sphere
Globe
Disk
Hoop
Orb
Orbit
Round
Annulus
Circlet
Crown
Corona
Circus
Circumference
Periphery
Circuit
Ecliptic
Round
Epicycle
Embrace
Coil
Skirt
Surround
Examples of the Word in Context
“Buildings of public importance were also constructed in this area, in the result of which [sic] the so-called Boulevard Circle was created, which at present has become a real oasis in the 21st-century metropolis.” —Municipal Portal of Riga
“My young friend spoke especially of how one woman mentor in her inner circle encouraged her to join her current organization, included her in the organization’s women’s network, and helped to build the connections she needed to sustain her career.” —Forbes
“The ‘Circle of Friends’ intervention is aimed primarily at improving the inclusion of children with challenging behaviour, disability or personal concerns within mainstream schools. It works by gathering the student’s peers in a circle of friendly support to help the young person with their problem solving.” —EdPlace.com
Receiving reports of the activities of the Order of American Knights (a new name for the alleged order) in Missouri and Illinois, U.S. Pres. Abraham Lincoln sent his secretary, John Hay, to investigate. The new charges, said Lincoln on receiving Hay’s report, were ‘as puerile as the Knights of the Golden Circle.” —Encyclopedia Britannica
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.