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
The relaxed fit keeps air circulating while the long skirt design creates an effortless silhouette.
—
Aashna Gheewalla,
PEOPLE,
5 July 2026
The day after the ceremony, photos circulated online of an ivory handkerchief embroidered with lace that was handed out to the wedding guests.
—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
4 July 2026
LightRocket via Getty Images Jamestown Canyon virus has been circulating in northeastern North American mosquitoes since before the founding of the United States.
—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
According to an unofficial and widely circulated online list, some 38,500 people were still unaccounted for, down from nearly 60,000 in the days immediately after the quakes.
—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for circulate
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Aashna Gheewalla,
PEOPLE,
5 July 2026
The day after the ceremony, photos circulated online of an ivory handkerchief embroidered with lace that was handed out to the wedding guests.
—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
4 July 2026
LightRocket via Getty Images Jamestown Canyon virus has been circulating in northeastern North American mosquitoes since before the founding of the United States.
—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
According to an unofficial and widely circulated online list, some 38,500 people were still unaccounted for, down from nearly 60,000 in the days immediately after the quakes.
—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for circulate
Cite this Entry
“Circulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circulate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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