traffic-circle
Definition
Noun: A traffic-circle is a road intersection where traffic flows in one direction around a central island, typically used to manage vehicle flow without traffic lights.
Usage Examples
- (A circular junction where traffic moves counterclockwise around a central island.)
- (A roundabout designed to improve traffic flow and safety.)
Advanced Usage
- "to navigate a traffic-circle": to drive through a circular intersection correctly.
- New drivers often find it challenging to navigate a traffic-circle for the first time. (To successfully enter, circulate, and exit the roundabout.)
- "traffic-circle design": the engineering and layout of a circular intersection.
- Modern traffic-circle design includes pedestrian crossings and landscaping. (The planning of the central island and entry/exit points.)
Variants and Related Words
- Rotary (n): a synonym for traffic-circle, used especially in American English.
- The rotary in the town centre is known for its confusing layout. (A circular intersection with multiple entry points.)
- Roundabout (n): a synonym for traffic-circle, more common in British English.
- The roundabout has a fountain in the middle. (A circular junction with a central island.)
Synonyms
- Roundabout: a circular intersection where traffic flows in one direction.
- Rotary: a large circular intersection, often with multiple lanes and exits.
Related Idioms
- "Go around in circles": to waste time or effort without making progress, often used metaphorically.
- The committee kept going around in circles discussing the traffic-circle plans. (They repeated the same points without reaching a decision.)
Notes
- A traffic-circle is typically smaller than a rotary and may have a lower speed limit, while a roundabout often has yield-at-entry rules and a smaller diameter.