a circular section of a sphere that has a radius equal to that of the sphere
Compare small circle
great circle in American English
any circle described on the surface of a sphere by a plane which passes through the center of the sphere; specif., such a circle on the earth's surface: a course (great-circle course) plotted along a great circle of the earth is the shortest route between any two points on the earth's surface
Examples of 'great circle' in a sentence
great circle
The great circle of life and consciousness, continually shedding death like an old skin and being born anew.
Zindell, David THE BROKEN GOD (2002)
In a great circle all around him, from east to west, north to south, the stars glittered in the heavens.
Zindell, David THE BROKEN GOD (2002)
The gleaming white ice spread out in a great circle, and far off, at the horizon, touched the sky.
Zindell, David THE BROKEN GOD (2002)
Immediately, others of his kind appeared from behind trees in a great circle around us two hundred yards across.
David Zindell THE LIGHTSTONE: BOOK ONE, PART ONE OF THE EA CYCLE (2002)