Circle vs. Cycle: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 30, 2023
A "circle" is a round geometric shape, while a "cycle" denotes a series of events that repeat in a specific order.
Difference Between Circle and Cycle
The term "circle" is primarily understood in the context of geometry. It describes a shape with all points equidistant from a central point. This simple geometric definition is distinct from the more abstract and versatile concept represented by "cycle."
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
On the other hand, "cycle" describes a sequence or a series of events that recur regularly and usually lead back to the starting point. While both "circle" and "cycle" suggest the idea of something returning to its beginning, they're applied in very different contexts. For instance, a business might go through a "cycle" of growth and decline, but we wouldn't say it goes through a "circle."
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
"Circle" can also mean a group of people with a shared interest or purpose. For example, a "circle of friends" suggests a close-knit group. Conversely, "cycle" can refer to a duration or a span of time in which specific events or phenomena occur, like a "life cycle" or "business cycle."
Muazma Batool
Sep 30, 2023
Additionally, while "circle" maintains its geometric connotations, "cycle" can delve into various subjects, from biology to economics. To say that something has "come full circle" is to suggest a return to its original position, echoing the completeness of a geometric circle. In contrast, stating something is in a "vicious cycle" implies a repetitive, often negative, sequence of events.
Henry
Sep 30, 2023
Circle vs. Cycle Comparison Chart
Context of Usage
Geometry, groups of people
Sequences, time spans, processes
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
Circle vs. Cycle Definitions
◉Circle
A round plane figure with all points equidistant from the center.
She drew a perfect circle on the board.
Muazma Batool
Sep 30, 2023
◉Cycle
A series of events or processes that recur in the same order.
The moon goes through several phases in its lunar cycle.
Henry
Sep 30, 2023
◉Circle
A group of individuals sharing interests or activities.
He has a tight-knit circle of friends.
Olivia
Sep 30, 2023
◉Cycle
A two-wheeled vehicle, typically pedal-driven.
She rode her cycle to work every day.
Henry
Sep 30, 2023
◉Circle
A curved line that is equally distant from the center at all points.
The kids formed a circle around the campfire.
Lucas
Sep 30, 2023
◉Cycle
A single set or series of occurrences.
The laundry cycle is almost done.
Muazma Batool
Sep 30, 2023
◉Circle
A situation where events repeat themselves in a recognizable manner.
After years abroad, he felt his life had come full circle.
Nolan
Sep 30, 2023
◉Cycle
An interval of time during which a characteristic, often regularly repeated event or sequence of events occurs
Sunspots increase and decrease in intensity in an 11-year cycle.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Circle
A plane curve everywhere equidistant from a given fixed point, the center.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
A single complete execution of a periodically repeated phenomenon
A year constitutes a cycle of the seasons.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
A periodically repeated sequence of events
the cycle of birth, growth, and death.
a cycle of reprisal and retaliation.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
A circular or nearly circular course, circuit, or orbit:a satellite's circle around the earth.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
The aggregate of traditional poems or stories organized around a central theme or hero
the Arthurian cycle.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
A series or process that finishes at its starting point or continuously repeats itself; a cycle.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
A group of people sharing an interest, activity, or achievement:well-known in artistic circles.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
A territorial or administrative division, especially of a province, in some European countries.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
(Botany) A circular or whorled arrangement of flower parts such as those of petals or sepals.
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◉Cycle
(Baseball) The achievement of hitting a single, double, triple, and home run in a single game.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
To use in or put through a cycle
cycled the heavily soiled laundry twice.
cycling the recruits through eight weeks of basic training.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
(geometry) A two-dimensional geometric figure, a line, consisting of the set of all those points in a plane that are equally distant from a given point (center).
The set of all points (x, y) such that {{(x
r2}} is a circle of radius r around the point (1, 0).
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
An interval of space or time in which one set of events or phenomena is completed.
the cycle of the seasons, or of the year
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
A two-dimensional geometric figure, a disk, consisting of the set of all those points of a plane at a distance less than or equal to a fixed distance (radius) from a given point.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
Any shape, curve or arrangement of objects that approximates to or resembles the geometric figures.
Children, please join hands and form a circle.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
A process that returns to its beginning and then repeats itself in the same sequence.
electoral cycle
menstrual cycle
news cycle
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
Any thin three-dimensional equivalent of the geometric figures.
Cut a circle out of that sheet of metal.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
A curve that more or less forms part or all of a circle.
The crank moves in a circle.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
(music) In musical set theory, an interval cycle is the set of pitch classes resulting from repeatedly applying the same interval class to the starting pitch class.
The interval cycle C4 consists of the pitch classes 0, 4 and 8; when starting on E, it is realised as the pitches E, G# and C.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
A specific group of persons; especially one who shares a common interest.
inner circle
circle of friends
literary circle
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
A series of poems, songs or other works of art, typically longer than a trilogy.
The "Ring of the Nibelung" is a cycle of four operas by Richard Wagner.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
A programme on a washing machine, dishwasher, or other such device.
Put the washing in on a warm cycle.
the spin cycle
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
(cricket) A line comprising two semicircles of 30 yards radius centred on the wickets joined by straight lines parallel to the pitch used to enforce field restrictions in a one-day match.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
A pedal-powered vehicle, such as a unicycle, bicycle, or tricycle, or a motorized vehicle that has either two or three wheels.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
(Wicca) A ritual circle that is cast three times deosil and closes three times widdershins either in the air with a wand or literally with stones or other items used for worship.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
(baseball) A single, a double, a triple, and a home run hit by the same player in the same game.
Jones hit for the cycle in the game.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
(graph theory) A closed walk or path, with or without repeated vertices allowed.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
(astronomy) An instrument of observation, whose graduated limb consists of an entire circle. When fixed to a wall in an observatory, it is called a mural circle; when mounted with a telescope on an axis and in Y's, in the plane of the meridian, a meridian or transit circle; when involving the principle of reflection, like the sextant, a reflecting circle; and when that of repeating an angle several times continuously along the graduated limb, a repeating circle.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
An imaginary circle or orbit in the heavens; one of the celestial spheres.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
(logic) A form of argument in which two or more unproved statements are used to prove each other; inconclusive reasoning.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
A territorial division or district.
The ten Circles of the Holy Roman Empire were those principalities or provinces which had seats in the German Diet.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
(in the plural) A bagginess of the skin below the eyes from lack of sleep.
After working all night, she had circles under her eyes.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
(aviation) One take-off and landing of an aircraft, referring to a pressurisation cycle which places stresses on the fuselage.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
(transitive) To travel around along a curved path.
The wolves circled the herd of deer.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
(transitive) To place or mark a circle around.
Circle the jobs that you are interested in applying for.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
(electronics) To turn power off and back on
Avoid cycling the device unnecessarily.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
(ice hockey) To maintain a team's possession of the puck in the offensive zone by handling and passing the puck in a loop from the boards near the goal up the side boards and passing to back to the boards near the goal
They have their cycling game going tonight.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
A plane figure, bounded by a single curve line called its circumference, every part of which is equally distant from a point within it, called the center.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
An imaginary circle or orbit in the heavens; one of the celestial spheres.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
An interval of time in which a certain succession of events or phenomena is completed, and then returns again and again, uniformly and continually in the same order; a periodical space of time marked by the recurrence of something peculiar; as, the cycle of the seasons, or of the year.
Wages . . . bear a full proportion . . . to the medium of provision during the last bad cycle of twenty years.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
An instrument of observation, the graduated limb of which consists of an entire circle.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
An age; a long period of time.
Better fifty years of Europe than a cycle of Cathay.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
A round body; a sphere; an orb.
It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
An orderly list for a given time; a calendar.
We . . . present our gardeners with a complete cycle of what is requisite to be done throughout every month of the year.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
The circle of subjects connected with the exploits of the hero or heroes of some particular period which have served as a popular theme for poetry, as the legend of Arthur and the knights of the Round Table, and that of Charlemagne and his paladins.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
A company assembled, or conceived to assemble, about a central point of interest, or bound by a common tie; a class or division of society; a coterie; a set.
As his name gradually became known, the circle of his acquaintance widened.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
One entire round in a circle or a spire; as, a cycle or set of leaves.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
A series ending where it begins, and repeating itself.
Thus in a circle runs the peasant's pain.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
A form of argument in which two or more unproved statements are used to prove each other; inconclusive reasoning.
That heavy bodies descend by gravity; and, again, that gravity is a quality whereby a heavy body descends, is an impertinent circle and teaches nothing.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
A series of operations in which heat is imparted to (or taken away from) a working substance which by its expansion gives up a part of its internal energy in the form of mechanical work (or being compressed increases its internal energy) and is again brought back to its original state.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
Indirect form of words; circumlocution.
Has he given the lie,In circle, or oblique, or semicircle.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
A complete positive and negative, or forward and reverse, action of any periodic process, such as a vibration, an electric field oscillation, or a current alternation; one period.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
To encompass, as by a circle; to surround; to inclose; to encircle.
Their heads are circled with a short turban.
So he lies, circled with evil.
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
To move circularly; to form a circle; to circulate.
Thy name shall circle round the gaping through.
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
an interval during which a recurring sequence of events occurs;
the neverending cycle of the seasons
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point;
he calculated the circumference of the circle
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
an unofficial association of people or groups;
the smart set goes there
they were an angry lot
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
a periodically repeated sequence of events;
a cycle of reprisal and retaliation
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
something approximating the shape of a circle;
the chairs were arranged in a circle
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
the unit of frequency; one Hertz has a periodic interval of one second
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
movement once around a course;
he drove an extra lap just for insurance
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
a single complete execution of a periodically repeated phenomenon;
a year constitutes a cycle of the seasons
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
a road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island;
the accident blocked all traffic at the rotary
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
cause to go through a recurring sequence;
cycle thge laundry in this washing program
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
a curved section or tier of seats in a hall or theater or opera house; usually the first tier above the orchestra;
they had excellent seats in the dress circle
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
any circular or rotating mechanism;
the machine punched out metal circles
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May 03, 2023
◉Circle
be around;
Developments surround the town
The river encircles the village
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May 03, 2023
◉Cycle
A periodic sequence of events.
Economic downturns are part of the business cycle.
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Sep 30, 2023
◉Cycle
An interval of time during which a characteristic repeats or evolves.
The insect's life cycle lasts a few weeks.
Jonathan
Sep 30, 2023
◉Circle
A designated area or location.
The houses are located in a circle around the park.
Henry
Sep 30, 2023
Circle vs. Cycle Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary geometric definition of a circle?
A circle is a round shape where all points are equidistant from the center.
Muazma Batool
Sep 30, 2023
Are there other terms similar to cycle?
Yes, words like "sequence," "rotation," and "period" can be synonymous with cycle in certain contexts.
Nolan
Sep 30, 2023
How is cycle often used in a temporal sense?
A cycle denotes a series of events or processes that recur in a specific order.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
What does "come full circle" mean?
It means returning to an original position or situation after a series of events.
Henry
Sep 30, 2023
Can circle imply a group of individuals?
Yes, circle can refer to a group with shared interests, like a circle of friends.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
Can cycle refer to a vehicle?
Yes, cycle can mean a two-wheeled, typically pedal-driven, vehicle.
Jonathan
Sep 30, 2023
Is the term circle limited to geometry?
While rooted in geometry, circle can also describe groups or metaphorical situations where events return to their start.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
In what contexts might one encounter the word cycle?
Cycle can be found in biology, economics, and even daily routines, describing sequences or repeated events.
Jonathan
Sep 30, 2023
Do both circle and cycle suggest a return to a starting point?
Yes, both imply returning to an origin, but they are applied in distinct contexts.
Kaitlyn
Sep 30, 2023
How does the concept of a "vicious cycle" differ?
A vicious cycle indicates a negative, repetitive sequence where one event causes another in a loop.
Elijah
Sep 30, 2023
Content Creators
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