verb
circulate
SUR-kyuh-layt/ˈsɜːrkjəleɪt/
To pass around among connected places or people.
The pump circulates warm water through the pipes beneath the floor.
Etymology
The 'small ring' root underlies Latin circulare, 'to form a circle.' That circular image became continuous movement through a circuit, then passing freely from place to place or person to person.
In context
Before birth, the umbilical vein carries oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood to the fetal heart, while the umbilical arteries circulate carbon dioxide and waste products back to the placenta.
More examples
- Please circulate the agenda before tomorrow's meeting.
- Rumors circulated through the office.
- A fan keeps air circulating in the room.
Forms
circulate · circulates · circulated · circulating
Similar words
- distribute
- Distribute emphasizes delivering to recipients; circulate emphasizes passing around through a system or group.