circus

noun

1. A traveling company of performers that may include acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and other novelty acts, that gives shows usually in a circular tent.

   “The circus will be in town next week.”

2. A round open space in a town or city where multiple streets meet.

   “Oxford Circus in London is at the north end of Regent Street.”

3. (figuratively)A spectacle; a noisy fuss; a chaotic and/or crowded place.

   “The village would be turned into a circus over this. He groaned, it was just the sort of case the media had a field day over. He had to get the whole thing sorted fast before anyone got wind of it.”

4. (dated, slang)An undertaking or arrangement.

   “"Right you are; I'll put him wise," undertook Nickle briskly. "After all, it's entirely your circus. Shall we stay here and—"”

5. (historical)In the ancient Roman Empire, a building for chariot racing.
6. A code name for bomber attacks with fighter escorts in the day time. The attacks were against short-range targets with the intention of occupying enemy fighters and keeping their fighter units in the area concerned.
7. (obsolete)Circuit; space; enclosure.

   “The narrow circus of my dungeon wall.”

verb

1. To take part in a circus; or to be displayed as if in a circus.