Circulating

/ˈsɜːrkjʊleɪtɪŋ/

verbIntermediateCommonTechnology

Definitions

1

To move continuously through a system or area, often in a circular motion.

/ˈsɜːrkjʊleɪtɪŋ/

verbneutralIntermediate
Technology

Moving continuously through a system or area.

News of the scandal circulated quickly.

💡 Simply: Like a merry-go-round, things that circulate keep moving in a circle or around a place. Think of blood circulating in your body, or a rumor circulating at school.

👶 For kids: Going around and around like a train on a track!

More Examples

2

The fan circulated the air in the room.

How It's Used

Medical

"The blood is circulating properly through the body."

Finance

"The company is circulating a new marketing proposal."

Idioms & expressions

circulating rumors

Spreading or sharing unsubstantiated information.

"Don't believe everything you hear; many people are circulating rumors."

From Middle English *circulaten, from Latin circulatus, past participle of circulare "to move in a circle," from circus "circle"

The word has consistently been used to describe the movement of fluids and information since its adoption into English.

Memory tip

Imagine a circle; things circulating are going round and round.

Base: circulate
circulatingcirculatin

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written