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
Dong wrote articles arguing for constitutional democracy, political reform and transparency in politics — views allowed to circulate freely in the past that are now taboo in China.
—
ABC News, 8 May 2026
Health authorities in South Africa and Switzerland identified the circulating strain as the Andes virus, the only hantavirus believed to spread from person to person, which is found in South America.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
That this situation has been so stable for weeks belies the sky-is-falling behind-the-scenes reports of unforeseen demand, component shortages, and falling profit margins that have circulated about the Neo in recent weeks.
—ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
Social media users may have recently seen videos circulating of chicken tenders being available at Costco food courts.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for circulate
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ABC News, 8 May 2026
Health authorities in South Africa and Switzerland identified the circulating strain as the Andes virus, the only hantavirus believed to spread from person to person, which is found in South America.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
That this situation has been so stable for weeks belies the sky-is-falling behind-the-scenes reports of unforeseen demand, component shortages, and falling profit margins that have circulated about the Neo in recent weeks.
—ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
Social media users may have recently seen videos circulating of chicken tenders being available at Costco food courts.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 8 May 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 9 May. 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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