surround

1 of 2

verb

sur·​round sə-ˈrau̇nd How to pronounce surround (audio)
surrounded; surrounding; surrounds

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to enclose on all sides : envelop
the crowd surrounded her
(2)
: to enclose so as to cut off communication or retreat : invest entry 2
b
: to form or be a member of the entourage of
flatterers who surround the king
c
: to constitute part of the environment of
surrounded by poverty
d
: to extend around the margin or edge of : encircle
a wall surrounds the old city
2
: to cause to be surrounded by something
surrounded himself with friends

surround

2 of 2

noun

: something (such as a border or ambient environment) that surrounds
from urban centre to rural surroundEmrys Jones

Examples of surround in a Sentence

Verb A wall surrounds the old city. They had the suspect surrounded. She was suddenly surrounded by a crowd of excited fans. There's a lot of uncertainty surrounding the decision. His departure was surrounded by secrecy. Noun the vast, featureless surround of the desert was strangely appealing to him
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The hollow black abyss mars its surrounding landscape of woods and soil, lending the image a sense of menace. Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2024 However, Israeli officials contend residents surrounded the food trucks and many were trampled during the stampede. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for surround 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'surround.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to flood, inundate, from Anglo-French surunder, from Late Latin superundare, to overflow, from Latin super- + unda wave; influenced in meaning by round entry 5 — more at water

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surround was circa 1616

Dictionary Entries Near surround

Cite this Entry

“Surround.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surround. Accessed 3 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

surround

1 of 2 verb
sur·​round sə-ˈrau̇nd How to pronounce surround (audio)
: to enclose on all sides : encircle

surround

2 of 2 noun
: something (as a border) that surrounds

More from Merriam-Webster on surround

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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