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
Video footage and photos of him being taken into custody were widely circulated on social media, given the nature of the arrest and the circumstances surrounding it.
—
Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Fan videos quickly circulated online, capturing the crowd's excitement at the surprise appearance.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 25 July 2025
However, his name is circulating in trade rumors as other playoff contenders search for starting pitching.
—Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
Wednesday, 10pm A statement was circulated to reporters covering Barcelona from Ham Seul, chief executive of a company called D-Drive, which the club had partnered with to organise the tour.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for circulate
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Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Fan videos quickly circulated online, capturing the crowd's excitement at the surprise appearance.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 25 July 2025
However, his name is circulating in trade rumors as other playoff contenders search for starting pitching.
—Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
Wednesday, 10pm A statement was circulated to reporters covering Barcelona from Ham Seul, chief executive of a company called D-Drive, which the club had partnered with to organise the tour.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 25 July 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 3 Aug. 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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