traffic circle

noun

1. a circular arrangement constructed at the intersection of two or more roads in order to facilitate the passage of vehicles from one road to another.

traffic circle

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): roundabout. a road junction in which traffic streams circulate around a central island

Word History and Origins

Origin of traffic circle¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

As part of last year’s restoration, the city also installed bollards at the entrances to Plaza Park, changed the lighting and modified the entrances of the traffic circle to deter vehicles from speeding.

From Los Angeles Times

The traffic circle where Columbus long lent his presence has now been renamed the Women Who Fight roundabout, a rallying point for Indigenous, feminist and other protesters hoisting handwritten placards.

From Los Angeles Times

When you reach the traffic circle at Vineyard Drive, about 4.6 miles west of Highway 101, you may be tempted to wander off on Vineyard for a few miles of low-speed bucolic splendor.

From Los Angeles Times

They include Thursday night’s attack on hundreds of Palestinians who were waiting at the Kuwait traffic circle in Gaza City for an expected convoy of aid trucks.

From New York Times

The yellow vest protests held France in their grip for months, starting among provincial workers camped out at traffic circles to protest fuel taxes and subsequently snowballing into a nationwide challenge to Macron’s government.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• roundabout