circulation
sur-kyuu-LAY-shuhn
Circulation (noun) means the movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels around the body. Example: “Walking every day is good for your heart and your circulation.”
noun
1
The movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels around the body.
"Walking every day is good for your heart and your circulation."
"Sitting still on a long flight can slow the circulation in your legs."
"Cold hands can be a sign of poor circulation."
2
The spreading or passing of something, such as money, information, or a publication, from person to person.
"Old coins were taken out of circulation and replaced with new ones."
"The rumour was already in wide circulation by lunchtime."
"The magazine's circulation has dropped since it went online."
How to use circulation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe flow of blood in the body, or how widely something (money, news, a publication) is spread.
Common pairings
poor circulation
in circulation
circulation figures
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Word forms
- Plural
- circulations
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Walking every day is good for your heart and your _____.
Etymology
From Latin circulatio, built from circulare ("to circulate") plus the noun suffix "-ion".
Related words
Rhymes for circulation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for circulation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “circulation” mean?
The word “circulation” means the movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels around the body. In plain terms, the flow of blood in the body, or how widely something (money, news, a publication) is spread.
How do you pronounce “circulation”?
“Circulation” is pronounced sur-kyuu-LAY-shuhn (/ˌsɝkjʊˈleɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “circulation” in a sentence?
Here is “circulation” used in a sentence: “Cold hands can be a sign of poor circulation.”
What part of speech is “circulation”?
“Circulation” is a noun.
Where does the word “circulation” come from?
The word “circulation” comes from Latin. From Latin circulatio, built from circulare ("to circulate") plus the noun suffix "-ion".
Is “circulation” a common word?
“Circulation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “circulation” have?
“Circulation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels around the body.
What is the difference between 'circulation' and 'distribution'?
Circulation refers to the ongoing movement or spread of something from person to person, such as blood around the body or money through an economy. Distribution usually emphasises delivering or dividing something out to recipients, often as a one-directional supply rather than a continuous flow.
What does a newspaper's 'circulation' figure measure?
A publication's circulation is the number of copies distributed or the extent to which it passes from person to person. It reflects how widely the newspaper or magazine reaches readers.
What is the difference between 'circulation' and 'circulatory'?
Circulation is a noun naming the movement of blood or the spread of something, while circulatory is an adjective describing anything relating to that movement. You would say blood circulation, but the circulatory system.
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