Circulate
/ˈsɜːrkjʊleɪt/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo move or cause to move continuously along a route or in a circuit.
/ˈsɜːrkjʊleɪt/
To move continuously around a place or system
The fan circulates the air in the room.
💡 Simply: Like a merry-go-round, things that circulate keep moving around and around. Think of blood in your body – it’s constantly circulating!
👶 For kids: To go round and round.
More Examples
News of the scandal circulated quickly.
How It's Used
"The blood circulates throughout the body."
"Rumors circulated quickly through the office."
To pass (something) from one person or place to another.
/ˈsɜːrkjʊleɪt/
To distribute or disseminate something
Please circulate the document to everyone in the team.
💡 Simply: To share something around, like passing a birthday card to all your friends.
👶 For kids: To share something with lots of people.
More Examples
The teacher circulated among the students.
How It's Used
"The company circulated a memo to all employees."
Idioms & expressions
circulate a rumor
To spread a rumor.
"They circulated a rumor that the company was going bankrupt."
From Latin *circulatus, past participle of circulare "to go around", from circus "circle".
The word's use has remained consistent throughout history, referring primarily to movement in a circular path.
Memory tip
Imagine a circle; things circulating move in a circle.