Skip to main content
to circulate

to circulate

40 3.9
Move continuously around inside a system, like water or air
  • verb
  • /ˈsɜrkjʊˌleɪt/
translation icon : circular
  • We consume energy, circulate it through our bodies, and release it.
  • circulate air
  • circulate water
  • circulate the blood

Now on the Earth, the air circulates in a in a circle.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • The heart pumps blood, allowing it to circulate throughout the body.

  • I'll have to uh find a pump to circulate the water.

  • Let a little fresh air circulate in here.

  • Their blood must circulate faster to keep their bodies warm.

  • The walking helped as blood began to circulate through our freezing extremities.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • This also helps with hair growth because it also circulates the blood in your scalp.

  • And what better way to strengthen muscle tissue and circulate blood flow than through an invigorating game of basketball?

  • Each second, millions of cubic meters of water circulate between the ocean's surface and its depths.

    Academic text (1994)
  • It also helps to circulate the air so that it strengthens the seedlings.

  • They not only circulate the water, but automate the bridges, pumps and locks.

Synonyms

to flow
vsto circulate
333 1.0

To move steadily in a stream like a liquid or gas

moves through a closed system or area rather than an open current
to stream
vsto circulate
55 1.7

To flow out in large amounts, like liquid or tears

applies only to movement of liquids or gases not to people or objects
to convect
vsto circulate
  • Specialized
1 8.3

To move air or liquid so heat moves from one place to another

moves within a closed system without involving heating or cooling to cause motion

Antonyms

19 6.8

To stop growing or changing and stay the same, like water in a pond

How Fast

stream
150 1.0
to circulate
40 3.9
to flow
333 1.0
to swirl
120 2.7
to trickle
70 3.4
to stagnate
19 6.8

Surface Forms

circulate infinitive
circulated past
circulated past participle
circulating present participle
circulates third person singular

Morphology

circulate = circle (transparent) = circle + ate

This sense refers to physical movement in a circular path or through a system, a direct extension of 'circle' plus the verb-forming '-ate'.

Etymology

The word circulate comes from the Latin circulare, from circulus meaning 'circle', the same root as the English word circle. That's why when water, air, or blood circulate they move 'around' in a closed system.