To move around in a circle or closed path, or to spread widely and pass from person to person.
From Latin 'circulatus,' past participle of 'circulare,' derived from 'circulus' meaning 'circle.' The word entered English in the 1600s with meanings related to movement and distribution.
Blood circulates, rumors circulate, money circulates—the word works for anything that keeps moving in a continuous loop or spreading through a system. It's why we call people 'in circulation' and documents that 'circulate.'
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.