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
Videos of the incident have circulated on social media, officials said.
—
Mark Price
april 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026
That night, plainclothes ICE officers detained them at the California airport, seen in viral videos circulated on social media.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Convection ovens circulate hot air continuously, promoting more even cooking and enhanced browning.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Dashcam video of the incident circulating on social media shows the plane flying low overhead before landing on the interstate and slowing down.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circulate
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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Mark Price
april 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026
That night, plainclothes ICE officers detained them at the California airport, seen in viral videos circulated on social media.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Convection ovens circulate hot air continuously, promoting more even cooking and enhanced browning.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Dashcam video of the incident circulating on social media shows the plane flying low overhead before landing on the interstate and slowing down.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circulate
Cite this Entry
“Circulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circulate. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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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