verb / adjective / noun
surround
suh-ROUND/səˈraʊnd/
To extend around all sides.
Water surrounds a small grassy island with a single tree.
Etymology
The original image was waves flowing over something: the verb first meant “flood” or “overflow.” Association with round helped shift it toward enclosing something on all sides.
In context
the cocoons are separated one by one being careful not to damage the silk threads that surround them
More examples
- The children surrounded the teacher to hear the story.
- The surround sound system plays music from every direction.
- A stone surround frames the fireplace.
Forms
surround · surrounds · surrounded · surrounding
surroundings noun — The places and conditions around someone.
Similar words
- encircle
- Emphasizes forming a ring or circle around something.
- enclose
- Suggests a boundary that shuts something in on all sides.