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
Whispers of bad blood between Brandy and Monica circulated after the song hit airwaves, fueling speculation with its narrative about them fighting over a boy.
—
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
The image widely circulated of Bellingham also showed the Englishman with a new pair of boots, a special blue version of Adidas’ FW25 Predator model, which has been launched in collaboration with the player.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Rumors of retirement tours have been circulating, sparked by John Cena's farewell tour for his career throughout the year.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Avoid overloading the washing machine basket to allow water to circulate freely throughout the load.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circulate
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Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
The image widely circulated of Bellingham also showed the Englishman with a new pair of boots, a special blue version of Adidas’ FW25 Predator model, which has been launched in collaboration with the player.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Rumors of retirement tours have been circulating, sparked by John Cena's farewell tour for his career throughout the year.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Avoid overloading the washing machine basket to allow water to circulate freely throughout the load.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 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 22 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
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