# circulated

/ˈsɝkjəˌɫeɪtɪd/ (US) · /sˈɜːkjʊlˌeɪtɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/circulated
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to spread information

verb · CEFR B2

to pass a message, document, or story from one person to another.

For teachers: to disseminate information, rumours, or documents within a group or to the public.

- The office manager circulated a memo about the new holiday policy.
- The committee circulated the draft proposal among the stakeholders to ensure all parties had an opportunity to provide feedback before the final vote.

Usage: Often used with a direct object like 'memo', 'email', or 'rumour'.

### 2. to move in a loop

verb · CEFR B2

to move continuously through a closed system, like blood in the body or air in a room.

For teachers: to move through a circuit or a closed system and return to the starting point.

- Cool air circulated through the building thanks to the new fans.
- In a healthy cardiovascular system, blood is circulated efficiently to deliver oxygen to every major organ.

Usage: Can be used as a transitive verb or an intransitive verb.

### 3. to move around at a party

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to move from person to person in a social group to talk to everyone.

For teachers: to move among a crowd or social gathering, engaging in brief conversations with various individuals.

- The host circulated among the guests to make sure everyone had a drink.
- The candidate spent the evening circulating through the ballroom, shaking hands and listening to the concerns of potential donors.

Teaching tip: This sense is often used in formal social contexts like galas or business networking events.

### 4. distributed or spread

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describes something that has been sent out or spread around.

For teachers: distributed throughout a system or population; often used in technical contexts regarding currency or documents.

- The circulated reports contained several errors that needed to be fixed.
- The central bank monitored the volume of circulated currency to assess the overall health of the national economy.

## Examples

- The nurse circulated the pamphlets among the patients.
- Rumors about the merger circulated quickly through the office before the official announcement.
- The central bank circulated new banknotes featuring updated security features to prevent counterfeiting in high-traffic commercial zones.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.