circulate

[ sur-kyuh-leyt ]

verb (used without object)

, cir·cu·lat·ed, cir·cu·lat·ing.

1. to move in a circle or circuit; move or pass through a circuit back to the starting point:

   Blood circulates throughout the body.

2. to pass from place to place, from person to person, etc.:

   She circulated among her guests.

3. to be distributed or sold, especially over a wide area.

   Synonyms: promulgate, lay, disperse

4. Library Science. (of books and other materials) to be available for borrowing by patrons of a library for a specified period of time.

verb (used with object)

, cir·cu·lat·ed, cir·cu·lat·ing.

1. to cause to pass from place to place, person to person, etc.; disseminate; distribute:

   to circulate a rumor.

2. Library Science. to lend (books and other materials) to patrons of a library for a specified period of time.

circulate

/ ˈsɜːkjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. to send, go, or pass from place to place or person to person

   don't circulate the news

2. to distribute or be distributed over a wide area
3. to move or cause to move through a circuit, system, etc, returning to the starting point

   blood circulates through the body

4. to move in a circle

   the earth circulates around the sun

circulate

/ sûr′kyə-lāt′ /

1. To move in or flow through a circle or a circuit. Blood circulates through the body as it flows out from the heart to the tissues and back again.

Derived Forms

• ˈcirculatory, adjective
• ˈcircuˌlator, noun
• ˈcircuˌlative, adjective

Other Words From

• circu·lata·ble adjective
• cir·cu·la·tive [sur, -ky, uh, -ley-tiv, -l, uh, -tiv], adjective
• cir·cu·la·to·ry [sur, -ky, uh, -l, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• inter·circu·late verb intercirculated intercirculating
• non·circu·lating adjective
• non·circu·la·tory adjective
• pre·circu·late verb precirculated precirculating
• re·circu·late verb recirculated recirculating
• un·circu·lated adjective
• un·circu·lating adjective
• un·circu·lative adjective
• well-circu·lated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of circulate¹

1425–75 for earlier senses; 1665–75 for current senses; late Middle English < Latin circulātus (past participle of circulārī to gather round one, Medieval Latin circulāre to encircle), equivalent to circul ( us ) circle + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of circulate¹

C15: from Latin circulārī to assemble in a circle, from circulus circle

Example Sentences

Despite these shocking revelations, mainly involving boys from elite British public schools, the Rushton report was not widely circulated.

From BBC

Largely because right-wing propaganda circulates so freely and is actually good, while factual information is locked behind paywalls.

From Salon

"We became aware of a video that was being circulated on social media that we are taking very seriously," said Webb.

From BBC

Despite this, several emotional accounts raising questions about the incident have continued circulating widely online.

From BBC

“It is disappointing that some would make up and circulate a rumor about him.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• broadcast
• disperse
• disseminate
• distribute
• publicize
• publish
• spread