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
Smoke could be seen in the busy Haret Hreik neighborhood, with one video circulated on social media showing dozens of people crowded around the area of the strike, which appeared to be on an apartment building.
—
NPR, 23 Nov. 2025
Rumors of a broader loosening have circulated over the past five years.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 22 Nov. 2025
Quick turnaround would mean vaccines could be developed in response to more currently circulating flu strains, potentially better protecting people from serious illness.
—New Atlas, 22 Nov. 2025
Google has hit back at claims circulating on social media that accuse the tech giant of training its Google Gemini AI on users' emails without their permission.
—PC Magazine, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circulate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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NPR, 23 Nov. 2025
Rumors of a broader loosening have circulated over the past five years.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 22 Nov. 2025
Quick turnaround would mean vaccines could be developed in response to more currently circulating flu strains, potentially better protecting people from serious illness.
—New Atlas, 22 Nov. 2025
Google has hit back at claims circulating on social media that accuse the tech giant of training its Google Gemini AI on users' emails without their permission.
—PC Magazine, 22 Nov. 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 24 Nov. 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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