circulation
noun
cir·cu·la·tion
ˌsər-kyə-ˈlā-shən 
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
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 on the Web
Maymó makes a similar point from the perspective of international circulation.
—
Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
Yes, Brooks created something so risky — people just didn't make fun of Hitler like that — that the studio nearly pulled it from circulation.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
High inflation forced the central bank last month to issue its largest-ever currency denomination, the 10 million rial note, just a month after putting the 5 million rial into circulation.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
The containers should be placed following optimum spacing to allow air circulation and encourage pollination from beneficial insects.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circulation
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Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
Yes, Brooks created something so risky — people just didn't make fun of Hitler like that — that the studio nearly pulled it from circulation.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
High inflation forced the central bank last month to issue its largest-ever currency denomination, the 10 million rial note, just a month after putting the 5 million rial into circulation.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
The containers should be placed following optimum spacing to allow air circulation and encourage pollination from beneficial insects.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circulation
Cite this Entry
“Circulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circulation. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
circulation
noun
cir·cu·la·tion
ˌsər-kyə-ˈlā-shən
1
: orderly movement through a circuit
especially
: the movement of blood through the vessels of the body caused by the pumping action of the heart
2
a
: passage from person to person or place to place
coins in circulation
b
: the average number of copies (as of a newspaper) sold over a given period
Medical Definition
circulation
noun
cir·cu·la·tion
ˌsər-kyə-ˈlā-shən
: 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
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