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
As for range, estimates have circulated of around 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 km) or more.
—
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Dec. 2025
Hero praised In one video circulated widely online, a man in a white shirt is seen tackling one of the gunmen and taking his firearm.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 14 Dec. 2025
In footage circulating widely online, a man is seen wrestling one of the attackers and taking a gun from him.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025
Speculation about Schumer and Fischer’s relationship has been circulating online in recent weeks.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circulate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Dec. 2025
Hero praised In one video circulated widely online, a man in a white shirt is seen tackling one of the gunmen and taking his firearm.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 14 Dec. 2025
In footage circulating widely online, a man is seen wrestling one of the attackers and taking a gun from him.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025
Speculation about Schumer and Fischer’s relationship has been circulating online in recent weeks.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 13 Dec. 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 16 Dec. 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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