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 government recently circulated a document to military commanders, detailing the objectives of the offensive.
—
Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 14 May 2025
While Brady didn't cite the line directly, it was widely circulated online.
—Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
In recent months, ongoing speculation about his mental health has circulated following several vulnerable social media posts.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 14 May 2025
That can leave various fragments of DNA circulating through your bloodstream.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for circulate
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Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 14 May 2025
While Brady didn't cite the line directly, it was widely circulated online.
—Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
In recent months, ongoing speculation about his mental health has circulated following several vulnerable social media posts.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 14 May 2025
That can leave various fragments of DNA circulating through your bloodstream.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for circulate
Cite this Entry
“Circulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circulate. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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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