circulate

Pronunciation

• enPR: sər'kü-lāt, IPA ^(key): /ˈsɚˌkju.leɪt/

• Audio (US)

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Verb

Plain form circulate

Third-person singular circulates

Past tense circulated

Past participle circulated

Present participle circulating

1. (intransitive) If something circulates, it moves without stopping through a space or system.

   The lungs move air in and out, and the heart beats to circulate the blood.

   A large fan kept the air circulating in the room.

2. (intransitive) If information, disease, etc. circulates, it spreads from one person to another.

   The letter was widely circulated in American prisons.

Related words

• circle
• circular
• circulation