/ ˈsɜːkɪt; NAmE ˈsɜːrkɪt/ noun
1.
a line, route, or journey around a place :
The race ended with eight laps of a city centre circuit.
The earth takes a year to make a circuit of (= go around) the sun.
2.
the complete path of wires and equipment along which an electric current flows :
an electrical circuit
a circuit diagram (= one showing all the connections in the different parts of the circuit )
—see also integrated circuit , printed circuit , short circuit
3.
( in sport ) a series of games or matches in which the same players regularly take part :
the women's tennis circuit
4.
a track for cars or motorcycles to race around
5.
a series of places or events of a particular kind at which the same people appear or take part :
the lecture / cabaret circuit
—see also closed-circuit television
6.
a regular journey made by a judge to hear court cases in each of the courts of law in a particular area
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via Old French from Latin circuitus , from circuire , variant of circumire go round, from circum around + ire go.