English Reference
noun

circulation

n.
US /ˈsɝkjəˌɫeɪʃən/ UK /sˌɜːkjʊlˈeɪʃən/ cir·cu·la·tion UK spelling circulations

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    the movement of blood around your body or air around a room.

    the continuous movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels, or the movement of air or water through a space or system.

    Simple

    Exercise is a great way to improve your blood circulation.

    In context

    Poor air circulation in the old office building led to complaints about the stuffy atmosphere and rising temperatures during the summer months.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal

    the movement of money or information from one person to another.

    the state of being in use or being passed from person to person, particularly regarding currency or public information.

    Simple

    The government decided to take the old coins out of circulation.

    In context

    Several forged banknotes were discovered in general circulation, prompting a warning from the central bank to local retailers.

The ministry said it "detected over the last days the circulation of publications and anonymous messages on social media inciting the organisation of collective, illegal crossing attempts" towards Ceuta.

The Local· 13 Aug 2026

Earlier this week, Rabat said it was monitoring “the circulation of social media posts and messages of unknown origin” calling for a mass crossing ​on 15 August, warning it would prosecute organisers and participants.

The Guardian· 15 Aug 2026

From Middle English circulacioun, from Latin circulatio. Morphologically circulate + -ion.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin circulatio
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated