circulate

To move, or make something move, around a place or through a system.

• Air circulates through the room.
• The pump circulates water around the tank.
• Blood circulated freely through the patient's body.

How to use it: circulate through something (Hot water circulates through the pipes.); circulate something around something (The fan circulates air around the room.)

Similar words: flow, move around

Common phrases: circulate through something, circulate around something, circulate air

To spread, or pass something, from one person to another.

• Rumours circulate quickly online.
• She circulated the report to her colleagues.
• Several viruses are circulating in the community.

How to use it: circulate something to someone (Please circulate the agenda to all staff.); circulate among someone (The rumour circulated among the students.)

Similar words: spread, distribute, pass around

Common phrases: circulate a report, circulate among people, circulate widely

For digits after a decimal point to repeat in the same order forever.

• In this decimal, the digits circulate.
• The decimal circulates rather than ending.
• Does the quotient circulate when written as a decimal?

Similar words: repeat, recur

Opposites: terminate

Common phrases: digits circulate, decimals circulate