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circulation

circulation

25 4.0
The movement of air or water through a system
  • noun
  • /ˌsɜrkjʊˈleɪʃən/
translation icon : circulación
  • You shouldn't exercise after eating; it's bad for circulation and digestion.
  • air circulation
  • atmospheric circulation
  • circulation of the atmosphere

It boosts your mood, it elevates your circulation, it strengthens your immune system.

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Examples

  • Did you know yoga increases circulation, promotes health and well-being, and it also reduces anxiety?

  • This is cutting off the circulation in my head.

  • It's like you lose circulation in your arm.

  • We got to get the circulation going again.

  • Well, the circulation was cut off for so long.

  • So it stands to reason that ocean circulation also would be changing.

  • ...I'm losing circulation in my legs.

  • It just opens up the tree for more air circulation and more light.

  • To prevent this disease, provide good circulation of air in your home.

  • Changing atmospheric circulation patterns are shifting where rain will fall.

Synonyms

flow
vscirculation
188 1.0

A steady movement of liquid or gas

emphasizes passage through systems or organisms rather than general steady movement
stream
vscirculation
150 1.0

A continuous flow of people, things, or ideas

refers to movement of physical substances through systems rather than abstract flows
airflow
vscirculation
13 3.5

The movement of air through or around things

covers movement of many substances through systems not only air
transport
vscirculation
  • Specialized
10 6.8

The movement of molecules and energy across layers or membranes

concerns large scale passage within systems rather than molecule level crossings
perfusion
vscirculation
  • Specialized
3 8.0

Blood flows through the vessels to reach an organ or tissue

focuses on active pumping into tissues rather than general movement through systems
blood circulation
vscirculation
  • Specialized
3 2.8

Continuous movement of blood through the body that carries oxygen and food to cells

is the general movement of substances through systems rather than only blood
flow of air
vscirculation
1 2.6

Air moving through a place or system

applies more broadly to movement of various substances within systems
air flow
vscirculation
  • Specialized
1 2.8

Movement of air through a space or system

is the general movement of substances within systems rather than just air
fluxion
vscirculation
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A flow of liquid, often an unusual discharge from the body

is used broadly for movement within systems rather than mainly technical or old terms

Compounds

blood circulation
  • Specialized
3 2.8

Continuous movement of blood through the body that carries oxygen and food to cells

6.0

Flow of the clear fluid in and around the brain

fetal circulation
  • Specialized
6.5

The way blood moves in an unborn baby to bring oxygen and nutrients to organs and often bypasses the lungs

pulmonary circulation
  • Specialized
3.2

The flow of blood from the heart to the lungs and back where it gets oxygen

systemic circulation
  • Specialized
4.3

Blood flow that sends oxygen to the body and brings back used blood to the heart

vitelline circulation
  • Specialized
9.7

Blood flow between an embryo and its yolk sac in early development

How Much

circulation
  • Specialized
28 3.7
circulation
25 4.0
noncirculating
  • Specialized
6.9

Surface Forms

circulation singular
circulations plural

Morphology

circulation = circulate (transparent) = circul + ion

Nominalization of the motion verb 'circulate' referring to movement of air or fluid; the sense is a direct, literal extension.

Etymology

The word circulation comes from the old Latin word circulare, from circus, meaning 'circle', which gives the image of flow around a space. That is why air or water circulation means the movement of that substance around in a room, system, or area.