circulate

verb

cir·​cu·​late ˈsər-kyə-ˌlāt 

circulated; circulating

intransitive verb

1

: to move in a circle, circuit, or orbit

especially : to follow a course that returns to the starting point

blood circulates through the body

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

transitive verb

: to cause to circulate

circulatable

ˈsər-kyə-ˌlā-tə-bəl 

adjective

circulative

ˈsər-kyə-ˌlā-tiv 

adjective

circulator

ˈsər-kyə-ˌlā-tər 

noun

Synonyms of circulate

• disseminate
• propagate
• spread

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

While unsubstantiated claims and speculation circulate online about what led to the killings, Elikann emphasized the importance of following official facts over social media speculation. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026

The next shots look like a good match for the dominant strain of COVID that's circulating and should start becoming available soon. — Rob Stein, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026

Word that a data operation might rev up within the building prompted the Party for Socialism and Liberation, a revolutionary communist political organization, to circulate a petition to oppose the proposal. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026

Versions of the periodic orbit problem have circulated—pun intended—since the 18th century. — Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin circulatus, past participle of circulare, from circulus

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for circulate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids 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

circulative

-ˌlāt-iv 

adjective

circulator

-ˌlāt-ər 

noun

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