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
Pickle’s co-founders, Julia O’Mara and Brian McMahon, told CNN that circulating clothes among users has fed into a trend of avoiding overconsumption or turning to fast fashion.
—
Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 21 Dec. 2025
Claims circulating on social media about new $2,000 checks or additional federal stimulus payments are rumors and misinformation.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 20 Dec. 2025
While some posts of concern regarding the future of the penny press have circulated on social media and community forums, manufacturers of the machines insist the method will not disappear anytime soon.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
Be sure there is ventilation along the top of the cone so air can circulate.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circulate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 21 Dec. 2025
Claims circulating on social media about new $2,000 checks or additional federal stimulus payments are rumors and misinformation.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 20 Dec. 2025
While some posts of concern regarding the future of the penny press have circulated on social media and community forums, manufacturers of the machines insist the method will not disappear anytime soon.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
Be sure there is ventilation along the top of the cone so air can circulate.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 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 22 Dec. 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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