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 candy bars, which are likely to be circulated in unofficial sales channels across Europe, can be identified by a unique batch code assigned to individual bars and when scanned would relay instructions on how to contact KitKat, the company said.
—
Mike Snider, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Men in khaki stood with scopes on rooftops nearby, and questions among newer protesters circulated.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
CodePink circulated graphics tying the protests to anti-imperialist messaging.
—Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Videos circulating on social media have not been independently verified by CNN.
—Moriah Thomas, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circulate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Mike Snider, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Men in khaki stood with scopes on rooftops nearby, and questions among newer protesters circulated.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
CodePink circulated graphics tying the protests to anti-imperialist messaging.
—Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Videos circulating on social media have not been independently verified by CNN.
—Moriah Thomas, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 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 29 Mar. 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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