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
In the 13-second cut of video that is circulating, Barghouti, 66, tries to respond but is unable to interject.
—
Emily Feng, NPR, 16 Aug. 2025
But both annual shots help protect against the worst effects of whatever influenza strain is circulating and causing disease.
—Alice Park, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
Mega-cruises and must-visit lists circulating on social media have left some Caribbean islands oversaturated with tourists.
—Kristin Braswell, AFAR Media, 14 Aug. 2025
Starting in spring 2025, rumors that Kravitz and Butler are dating began circulating online.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circulate
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Emily Feng, NPR, 16 Aug. 2025
But both annual shots help protect against the worst effects of whatever influenza strain is circulating and causing disease.
—Alice Park, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
Mega-cruises and must-visit lists circulating on social media have left some Caribbean islands oversaturated with tourists.
—Kristin Braswell, AFAR Media, 14 Aug. 2025
Starting in spring 2025, rumors that Kravitz and Butler are dating began circulating online.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 13 Aug. 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 23 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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