big top

noun

1
: the main tent of a circus
2
: circus sense 2a

Examples of big top in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey fire in Hartford, Connecticut consumed the big top in just eight minutes. — Dr. Marianne Parshley, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026 No one in the audience was hurt, but the crowd was asked to exit the big top as staff waited for emergency responders to arrive. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026 While the professional circus operations eventually moved on, Peru's big top legacy stuck around, and the town has been home to the Peru Amateur Circus since 1960. — Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026 The animal-free experience features circus arts under a traditional big top tent. — Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for big top

Word History

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of big top was in 1763

Rhymes for big top

See All Rhymes for big top

Browse Nearby Words

bigtooth maple
big top
big tree
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big top.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20top. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

big top

noun
1
: the main tent of a circus
2
: circus sense 2

More from Merriam-Webster on big top

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about big top

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