circulate — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To move in circles or through a circuit.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

2. To cause (a person or thing) to move in circles or through a circuit.

   Usage

   • Transitive

3. To move from person to person, as at a party.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   In both the 2005 and 2013 papal elections there were whispers circulating that back in 1976 Francis had failed to help the two priests in their hour of need.

4. To spread or disseminate.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   to circulate money or gossip

5. To become widely known.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

6. Of decimals: to repeat.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   a circulating decimal

Verb

1. become widely known and passed on

   Synonyms

   go aroundspread

   Broader terms

   travelgomovelocomote

   Examples

   the rumor spread

   the story went around in the office

2. cause to become widely known

   Synonyms

   circularizecircularisedistributedisseminatepropagatebroadcastspreaddiffusedispersepass around

   Broader terms

   publicizepubliciseairbare

   Examples

   spread information

   circulate a rumor

   More examples (1)

   broadcast the news

3. cause to be distributed

   Synonyms

   pass aroundpass ondistribute

   Broader terms

   movedisplace

   Examples

   This letter is being circulated among the faculty

4. move through a space, circuit or system, returning to the starting point

   Broader terms

   runflowfeedcourse

   Examples

   Blood circulates in my veins

   The air here does not circulate

5. cause to move in a circuit or system

   Broader terms

   movedisplace

   Examples

   The fan circulates the air in the room

6. move around freely from person to person or from place to place

   Broader terms

   travelgomovelocomote

   Examples

   She circulates among royalty