circulate

verb

SaySUR-kyuu-layt/ˈsɚ.kjʊˌleɪt/UK/ˈsɜː.kjʊˌleɪt/

Formscirculates, circulating, circulated

6 meanings of circulate

1
verbtransitive
To pass news, papers, or items around so that many people see them.
Like passing a note around a classroom so everyone gets to read it.
They circulate flyers around the neighborhood every week.
The teacher circulated a sign-up sheet to the class.
Similardistribute, disseminate, spread, send
Note
2
verbintransitive
To move around and around, or to keep flowing through a loop.
Like water going around and around in a fountain.
Blood must circulate through the body to keep us alive.
Warm air circulates around the room when the fan is on.
Similarflow, cycle, move
Oppositestagnate
Note
3
verbintransitive
To become known to many people over time.
Like a rumor that spreads from friend to friend until everyone knows.
News of the win circulated quickly among the students.
Gossip can circulate faster than the truth.
Similarspread, travel
4
verbtransitive
To make something move around a loop or keep it flowing through a system.
Like a pump pushing water around and around through a hose.
The pump circulates water through the pipes.
Fans circulate cool air around the whole building.
Similarpump, cycle, move
5
verbintransitive
To move around from one person to another, like a host greeting guests at a party.
Like walking around a room to say hi to everyone.
The host likes to circulate and chat with every guest.
She circulated among the visitors, greeting each one.
Similarmingle, mix, socialize
6
verbintransitive
In math, used about a decimal whose digits keep repeating the same pattern forever.
Like a song stuck on repeat, playing the same part again and again.
The decimal for one-third circulates, showing 0.333 forever.
When you divide seven by eleven, the digits circulate without stopping.
Similarrecur, repeat
Oppositeterminate
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin circulus, meaning "a circle."