circulate
verb
cir·cu·late
ˈsər-kyə-ˌlāt 
circulated; circulating
1
2
: to pass from person to person or place to place: such as
a
: to flow without obstruction
b
: to become well-known or widespread
rumors circulated through the town
c
: to go from group to group at a social gathering
d
: to come into the hands of readers
specifically
: to become sold or distributed
: to cause to circulate
Examples of circulate in a Sentence
Blood circulates through the body.
Steam circulates in the pipes.
A pump circulates the water through the filter.
Rumors are circulating around town.
The report circulated among the students.
Stories were circulated about mismanagement.
He is circulating a petition asking for a new election.
She circulated among her guests.
Recent Examples on the Web
Implications for People Considering Testosterone Replacement Therapy People with low testosterone levels might be interested in or prescribed testosterone replacement therapy to raise circulating levels of the hormone.
—
Brian Mastroianni, Health, 5 June 2024
Finally, there is the question of whether this virus is now on its way to being seeded in cattle in the United States — permanently circulating among cows and adapting to better infect them.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 5 June 2024
The species is known to carry and transmit diseases including Zika, dengue and yellow fever, though Placer County officials say those infections are not circulating in the county.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 4 June 2024
Rumors began circulating of an inappropriate relationship with another department employee, Mr. Hawkaluk said and Mr. Loewen confirmed.
—Jonathan Weisman, New York Times, 2 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for circulate 
Brian Mastroianni, Health, 5 June 2024
Finally, there is the question of whether this virus is now on its way to being seeded in cattle in the United States — permanently circulating among cows and adapting to better infect them.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 5 June 2024
The species is known to carry and transmit diseases including Zika, dengue and yellow fever, though Placer County officials say those infections are not circulating in the county.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 4 June 2024
Rumors began circulating of an inappropriate relationship with another department employee, Mr. Hawkaluk said and Mr. Loewen confirmed.
—Jonathan Weisman, New York Times, 2 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for circulate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'circulate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near circulate
Cite this Entry
“Circulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circulate. Accessed 13 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
circulate
verb
cir·cu·late
ˈsər-kyə-ˌlāt
circulated; circulating
1
: to move or cause to move in a circle or course
especially
: to follow a course that returns to the starting point
blood circulates through the body
2
: to pass or be passed from person to person or place to place
circulate a rumor
Medical Definition
circulate
intransitive verb
cir·cu·late
ˈsər-kyə-ˌlāt
circulated; circulating
: to flow or be propelled naturally through a closed system of channels (as blood vessels)
blood circulates through the body
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