sur·round
sə-ˈrau̇nd 
surrounded; surrounding; surrounds
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
: something (such as a border or ambient environment) that surrounds
from urban centre to rural surround—
Emrys Jones
Emrys JonesExamples 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
Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 31 July 2025
Cooked over a crackling fire, surrounded by pitch pines, lightning bugs and scurrying squirrels, even something simple like a skillet of nachos can go from good to remarkable.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2025
Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 27 July 2025
Having been under the stewardship of the same family since 1654, the estate is now entering a new chapter with the opening of its flagship property, Penicuik House, allowing visitors to be able to stay on the estate in glorious surrounds.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for surround
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Verb
There's Union Terminal, surrounded by bright green trees and a streetcar that bisects the edge of Queensgate.
—Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 31 July 2025
Cooked over a crackling fire, surrounded by pitch pines, lightning bugs and scurrying squirrels, even something simple like a skillet of nachos can go from good to remarkable.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2025
Noun
Premium Plus Features: This top of the line trim adds a 360 degree surround view monitor, front and rear parking sensors and an auto dimming driver’s side mirror.
—Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 27 July 2025
Having been under the stewardship of the same family since 1654, the estate is now entering a new chapter with the opening of its flagship property, Penicuik House, allowing visitors to be able to stay on the estate in glorious surrounds.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for surround
Cite this Entry
“Surround.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surround. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
surround
1 of 2 verb
sur·round
sə-ˈrau̇nd
: to enclose on all sides : encircle
surround
2 of 2 noun
: something (as a border) that surrounds
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