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
In August 2024, the Hales Corners Library Board voted unanimously to keep the books in the library's circulation and concluded Lewis-Lane and library staff did not violate library policies.
—
Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 5 Nov. 2025
This native plant doesn’t need much pruning other than to maintain its shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and thin it out as needed to improve circulation.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
Always set them in an open space with natural air circulation away from direct sunlight and heating or cooling vents, and set back from high-traffic areas where they could be knocked or jostled.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
Removing a fire truck from circulation will save the city $1 million annually by reducing overtime costs, according to the news release.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circulation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 5 Nov. 2025
This native plant doesn’t need much pruning other than to maintain its shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and thin it out as needed to improve circulation.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
Always set them in an open space with natural air circulation away from direct sunlight and heating or cooling vents, and set back from high-traffic areas where they could be knocked or jostled.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
Removing a fire truck from circulation will save the city $1 million annually by reducing overtime costs, according to the news release.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circulation
Cite this Entry
“Circulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circulation. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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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