circulate

verb

cir·​cu·​late ˈsər-kyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce circulate (audio)
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 adjective
circulative adjective
circulator noun

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web As thousands of people were stranded at the festival grounds, erroneous reports began circulating of a connection to Ebola. Isabella Fertel, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023 Most widely circulating omicron variants feature a small handful of mutations that make each one slightly different from the last. Staff Reports, ajc, 8 Sep. 2023 In a clip of the incident circulating on social media, a man called out Barrymore’s name, visibly startling her, and identified himself as Busto. Chloe Melas, NBC News, 6 Sep. 2023 Last month, Moderna also said the vaccine boosted antibodies to the widely circulating EG.5 and FL.1.5.1 variants. BostonGlobe.com, 6 Sep. 2023 But then Jonas appeared with his ring on Sunday night in Texas soon after the divorce reports circulated. Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 4 Sep. 2023 Very recently, a video circulated on TikTok that showed Reinhart with a serious expression on her face after hugging the Euphoria star at an Armani Beauty event and viewers invented an entire narrative about it. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2023 Tuesday marks the official start of Illinois’ 2024 campaign season, the opening day for Democratic and Republican candidates for offices from Congress down to various county and party posts to begin circulating petitions to appear on the March 19 primary ballot. Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2023 Large fans circulating overhead helped dissipate smoke and smells, though the distinct aroma of weed hung in the air. Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 1 Sep. 2023 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

Latin circulatus, past participle of circulare, from circulus

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of circulate was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near circulate

Cite this Entry

“Circulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circulate. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

circulate

verb
cir·​cu·​late ˈsər-kyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce circulate (audio)
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 adjective
circulator noun

Medical Definition

circulate

intransitive verb
cir·​cu·​late ˈsər-kyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce circulate (audio)
circulated; circulating
: to flow or be propelled naturally through a closed system of channels (as blood vessels)
blood circulates through the body

More from Merriam-Webster on circulate

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