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
New photos circulating online show that the vehicle was completely burned, leaving behind only a skeletal metal frame.
—
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
While countless theories have circulated regarding Bradley’s disappearance, investigators initially determined the recent college graduate likely fell overboard or jumped from the ship, The Associated Press reported.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
In fact, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of horror stories circulating across Facebook, Reddit, and other platforms about individuals being questioned at check-in by airline agents or, worse, denied entry altogether.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
One photo circulated online of the incident showed a monkey climbing up a wall, while two others were near trash piles, per News12.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circulate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
While countless theories have circulated regarding Bradley’s disappearance, investigators initially determined the recent college graduate likely fell overboard or jumped from the ship, The Associated Press reported.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
In fact, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of horror stories circulating across Facebook, Reddit, and other platforms about individuals being questioned at check-in by airline agents or, worse, denied entry altogether.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
One photo circulated online of the incident showed a monkey climbing up a wall, while two others were near trash piles, per News12.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share