traffic circle
2
2.8
- noun
- /ˈtræfɪk ˈsɜrkl/
- US
:
rotonda
- "I hesitated, but then I went with him to the chic little coffee shop on the traffic circle nearby.
calming measures such as traffic circles and speed bumps.
- calming measures such as traffic circles and speed bumps.
- The citywide programme invites neighbors to request that disused traffic circles, triangles and streets be turned into pedestrian plazas.
- And then him and his boys took him to the clear nearest traffic circle and hung a sign around their neck that said warlords.
Examples
-
At the intersection in the center of the new town is a traffic circle with a pool and a fountain (Fig. 3).
Academic text (1994) -
On the perimeter of the traffic circle were two venerable churches, the stately courthouse, and a public library that resembled a Greek temple.
Fiction book (1999) -
I grew up on Roosevelt Island, where I buried a pet in a traffic circle, played street hockey, and never learned how to drive.
Blog text (24) -
Across from the Ministry of Sports, the traffic circle is dominated by a monument to the Olympics.
Academic text (2003) -
There is an air of improvisation there with the portable lights set up around the traffic circle north of the building.
Blog text (28) -
Like many other monuments, this one, made of concrete, was erected on a traffic circle for maximum visibility.
Academic text (2003) -
Vespas, Fiats, and Innocenti speed around a traffic circle.
Fiction book (2001) -
The Independence Monument is sited in the center of a traffic circle at one end of Independence Avenue (Fig. 3).
Academic text (2003) -
The citywide programme invites neighbors to request that disused traffic circles, triangles and streets be turned into pedestrian plazas.
-
Meet me at the traffic circle where Road 5 and East Road connect.
Synonyms
62
3.5
A road junction where traffic moves around a central island
8
3.4
A circular road junction where traffic moves around a central island
2
4.3
A circular road junction where traffic moves around a central island
How Big
- US
2
2.8
- UK
8
3.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is directly compositional: 'traffic' (flow of vehicles) + 'circle' (a round shape/junction) clearly denotes a circular road junction where vehicles circulate around a central island. This matches a common cross-linguistic concept (e.g., 'roundabout') and follows a straightforward noun+noun composition, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.
Etymology
Traffic circle gives a simple picture: traffic moving in a circle around a raised island, with cars entering, going around, and then leaving. So it means 'a round road junction where vehicles move around a central island'.