circulation

noun cir·cu·la·tion \ ˌsər-kyə-ˈlā-shən \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Examples: circulation in a Sentence

Definition of circulation

1 : orderly movement through a circuit; especially : the movement of blood through the vessels of the body induced by the pumping action of the heart

2 : flow

3 a : passage or transmission from person to person or place to place; especially : the interchange of currency

coins in circulation

b : the extent of dissemination: such as

(1) : the average number of copies of a publication sold over a given period

(2) : the total number of items borrowed from a library

See circulation defined for English-language learners

See circulation defined for kids

Examples of circulation in a Sentence

He has bad circulation in his legs.
The drug improves blood circulation.
The attic has poor air circulation.
the circulation of ocean waters
Let's open the windows to get some circulation in here.
This memo is not meant for circulation.
The coins have recently entered circulation.

Recent Examples of circulation from the Web

Daniel said other libraries that have done away with fines — in Salt Lake City, Columbus, Ohio, and Nashville, Tenn. — report higher circulation but little difference in unreturned materials.

— yvonne wenger, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore's Pratt Library goes fine free for overdue books," 4 June 2018
The name also conforms to majority use in Texas, where Hispanic is also used but may be falling out of favor and where Latino and Latinx, in use by some, still isn’t in wide circulation.

— elaine ayala, San Antonio Express-News, "Mexican American Studies scholars waging fight against SBOE this week," 27 May 2018
Image As another summer approaches, low-proof drinks — both refreshing and a smart choice for long, sun-baked afternoons — are moving into wide circulation.

— jane black, New York Times, "In Summer’s Heat, Lighter Cocktails Keep You on Your Feet," 18 May 2018
There are eight divisions in the contest, which group member publications into daily and non-daily print and online-only categories, then further group them by circulation.

— allan vought, The Aegis, "Staffers earn numerous awards, Aegis named top news organization," 15 May 2018
Glass partitions were used instead of walls to promote light circulation, while a neutral color palette keeps the place feeling light.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "377-square-foot apartment is super-optimized for all your needs," 9 May 2018
Shortly after Walker's revival of Hurston's legacy, her work made its way back into print in wide circulation.

— the washington post, AL.com, "Zora Neale Hurston's lost book dealt with Alabama slave ship, Africatown," 2 May 2018
This musical’s plot takes us back to the long-distant era when Joseph Pulitzer and other publishers of high-circulation newspapers employed newsboys to sell papers in the street.

— mike giuliano, Howard County Times, "Extra! Extra! Read all about 'Newsies' at Toby's," 23 Apr. 2018
Doing so helps promote better circulation and increases the amount of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood that reaches the muscles.

— Philly.com, "Exercises to ease the symptoms of fibromyalgia," 11 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'circulation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of circulation

1535

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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CIRCULATION Defined for English Language Learners

circulation

noun

Definition of circulation for English Language Learners

: the movement of blood through the body that is caused by the pumping action of the heart
: movement of air, water, etc., through the different parts of something
: the act of passing something (such as money, information, etc.) from person to person or place to place : the state of being passed from person to person or place to place

CIRCULATION Defined for Kids

circulation

noun cir·cu·la·tion \ ˌsər-kyə-ˈlā-shən \

Definition of circulation for Students

1 : movement through something

A fan will improve the circulation of air in the room.

2 : passage from place to place or person to person

coins in circulation

3 : the average number of copies (as of a newspaper) sold in a given period

Medical Dictionary

circulation

noun cir·cu·la·tion \ ˌsər-kyə-ˈlā-shən \

medical Definition of circulation

: the movement of blood through the vessels of the body that is induced by the pumping action of the heart and serves to distribute nutrients and oxygen to and remove waste products from all parts of the body — see pulmonary circulation, systemic circulation