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
And right now is when pollen from ryegrass, timothy grass, and ragweed starts circulating.
—
Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 June 2025
His commentary on the situation was revealed during the June 18 episode of his podcast, This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von, which has since circulated widely on social media.
—Kate Nalepinski, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
The hemoglobin in red blood cells picks up oxygen in the lungs and delivers it to all the cells in your body as blood is circulated.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 17 June 2025
The Guatemalan government condemned the incident, parts of which were captured on video and circulated on social media.
—Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for circulate
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Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 June 2025
His commentary on the situation was revealed during the June 18 episode of his podcast, This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von, which has since circulated widely on social media.
—Kate Nalepinski, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
The hemoglobin in red blood cells picks up oxygen in the lungs and delivers it to all the cells in your body as blood is circulated.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 17 June 2025
The Guatemalan government condemned the incident, parts of which were captured on video and circulated on social media.
—Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 17 June 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 1 Jul. 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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