circuit
SUR-kiht
Circuit (noun) means a closed path that electric current can flow around, usually containing components like wires, switches, and resistors. Example: “A short circuit tripped the breaker.”
noun
1
A closed path that electric current can flow around, usually containing components like wires, switches, and resistors.
"A short circuit tripped the breaker."
"The engineer traced the fault back to a broken circuit."
"The lights went out because a wire had broken the circuit."
2
A regular route or series of venues that someone travels for work, sport, or performance.
"The band spent the summer touring the festival circuit."
"The young golfer is hoping to make a name on the professional circuit."
"He has worked the comedy circuit for years, playing small clubs across the country."
verb
1
To travel all the way around something.
"The runners circuited the park twice before finishing."
"The guard circuited the building every hour to check the doors."
"Our boat circuited the island before heading back to the harbour."
How to use circuit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA closed loop, whether it's wires carrying electricity or a set route someone repeatedly travels.
Common pairings
electrical circuit
circuit board
the comedy circuit
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Word forms
- Plural
- circuits
- Third person singular
- circuits
- Past tense
- circuited
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A short _____ tripped the breaker.
Etymology
From Old French circuit, from Latin circuitus, "a going around" — from circum ("around") plus ire ("to go").
Related words
Rhymes for circuit
See all rhymes for circuit →Frequently asked questions
What does “circuit” mean?
The word “circuit” means a closed path that electric current can flow around, usually containing components like wires, switches, and resistors. In plain terms, a closed loop, whether it's wires carrying electricity or a set route someone repeatedly travels.
How do you pronounce “circuit”?
“Circuit” is pronounced SUR-kiht (/ˈsɝ.kɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “circuit” in a sentence?
Here is “circuit” used in a sentence: “A short circuit tripped the breaker.”
What is another word for “circuit”?
Words with a similar meaning to “circuit” include dao, lu, route and tao.
What part of speech is “circuit”?
Depending on how it is used, “circuit” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “circuit” come from?
The word “circuit” comes from Latin. From Old French circuit, from Latin circuitus, "a going around" — from circum ("around") plus ire ("to go").
Is “circuit” a common word?
“Circuit” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “circuit” have?
“Circuit” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a closed path that electric current can flow around, usually containing components like wires, switches, and resistors.
What is the difference between a series and a parallel circuit?
In a series circuit the components sit one after another on a single path, so the same current flows through each and a break anywhere stops everything. In a parallel circuit the current splits across several branches, so each component gets its own path and one can fail while the others keep working.
What is the difference between an open and a closed circuit?
A closed circuit is a complete, unbroken loop, so current can flow and devices switch on. An open circuit has a gap or break — an open switch, a cut wire — so no current flows and nothing works. Flicking a light switch simply opens or closes the circuit that feeds the bulb.
What are the main parts of a circuit?
A basic circuit needs a power source, such as a battery, to push the current; conductors, usually wires, to carry it; and a load, like a bulb or motor, that uses the energy. A switch lets you open or close the loop, and resistors control how much current flows.
What is a short circuit?
A short circuit happens when current finds an unintended low-resistance path that bypasses the normal load, often because bare wires touch directly. With little resistance to limit it, the current surges and generates heat that can blow a fuse, damage components, or start a fire. Fuses and circuit breakers exist to cut the power when this occurs.
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