circulate
cir|cu|late /s'ɜːrkjʊleɪt/ (circulates circulating circulated)
1 [VERB] be V-ed, V n, V
If a piece of writing circulates or is circulated, copies of it are passed round among a group of people.
The document was previously circulated in New York at the United Nations...
Public employees, teachers and liberals are circulating a petition for his recall...
This year anonymous leaflets have been circulating in Peking.
● circulation [N-UNCOUNT] usu the N of n
...an inquiry into the circulation of `unacceptable literature'.
2 [VERB] V, be V-ed, also V n
If something such as a rumour circulates or is circulated, the people in a place tell it to each other.
Rumours were already beginning to circulate that the project might have to be abandoned...
I deeply resented those sort of rumours being circulated at a time of deeply personal grief.
= spread
3 [VERB] V, V, also V prep
When something circulates, it moves easily and freely within a closed place or system.
...a virus which circulates via the bloodstream and causes ill health in a variety of organs...
Cooking odors can circulate throughout the entire house.
● circulation [N-UNCOUNT]
The north pole is warmer than the south and the circulation of air around it is less well contained.
...the principle of free circulation of goods.
4 [VERB] V
If you circulate at a party, you move among the guests and talk to different people.
Let me get you something to drink, then I must circulate.
1 [VERB] be V-ed, V n, V
If a piece of writing circulates or is circulated, copies of it are passed round among a group of people.
The document was previously circulated in New York at the United Nations...
Public employees, teachers and liberals are circulating a petition for his recall...
This year anonymous leaflets have been circulating in Peking.
● circulation [N-UNCOUNT] usu the N of n
...an inquiry into the circulation of `unacceptable literature'.
2 [VERB] V, be V-ed, also V n
If something such as a rumour circulates or is circulated, the people in a place tell it to each other.
Rumours were already beginning to circulate that the project might have to be abandoned...
I deeply resented those sort of rumours being circulated at a time of deeply personal grief.
= spread
3 [VERB] V, V, also V prep
When something circulates, it moves easily and freely within a closed place or system.
...a virus which circulates via the bloodstream and causes ill health in a variety of organs...
Cooking odors can circulate throughout the entire house.
● circulation [N-UNCOUNT]
The north pole is warmer than the south and the circulation of air around it is less well contained.
...the principle of free circulation of goods.
4 [VERB] V
If you circulate at a party, you move among the guests and talk to different people.
Let me get you something to drink, then I must circulate.