cir‧cus /ˈsɜːkəs $ ˈsɜːr-/ noun
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: 'circle, circus', perhaps from Greek kirkos 'ring']

1. [countable] a group of people and animals who travel to different places performing skilful tricks as entertainment
circus act (=a trick performed in a circus)
circus ring (=a large circular area where tricks are performed)

2. [singular] informal a situation in which there is too much excitement or noise:
The first day of school is always such a circus.
The trial has turned into a media circus.

3. [countable usually singular] British English a round open area where several streets join together, often used in place names:
Piccadilly Circus

4. [countable] a place in ancient Rome where fights, races etc took place, with seats built in a circle

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

circus
ˈsə:kəs
See: three-ring circus

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲