Definition

1. Noun:
   • The movement or passage of something through a closed system or area: This refers to the continuous movement within a confined space, such as blood in the body or air in a room.
   • The public availability or distribution of something: This describes the act of making items like money, information, or publications available to the public.
   • A count or number representing distribution: This is a quantitative measure, typically the average number of copies of a newspaper or magazine sold, or the number of times library materials are borrowed.

Examples of Usage

• Referring to movement within a system:
  • Regular exercise improves your blood circulation.
  • The office has poor air circulation, making it feel stuffy.
• Referring to distribution and availability:
  • The government put new banknotes into circulation.
  • The circulation of rumors on social media was rapid.
• Referring to a quantitative count:
  • The magazine has a weekly circulation of over 500,000 copies.
  • The library reported a high circulation of mystery novels last month.

Advanced Usage

• "In/out of circulation": Used to describe whether something (e.g., money, a person, an idea) is currently being used/active or not.
  • That old coin is no longer in circulation.
  • After her injury, the star player was out of circulation for months.
• "Wide/narrow circulation": Describes the extent or reach of distribution.
  • The academic paper had only a narrow circulation among specialists.

Variants and Related Words

• Circulate (verb): To move continuously within a system or to distribute something.
  • Fans help circulate air in the hall.
  • Please circulate this memo to all department heads.
• Circulatory (adjective): Relating to circulation, especially of the blood.
  • The heart is a key part of the human circulatory system.

Synonyms

• Flow: The steady, continuous movement of a substance (often used for liquids or gases).
• Distribution: The action of sharing something out among a number of recipients.
• Dissemination: The act of spreading information or ideas widely.

Related Phrases

• Circulation desk: The area in a library where books are checked in and out.
  • Please return all borrowed books to the circulation desk.

Related Idioms

• Get back into circulation: To become socially or professionally active again after a period of absence.
  • After his bereavement, it took him a long time to get back into circulation.

Noun

1. the spread or transmission of something (as news or money) to a wider group or area
2. free movement or passage (as of cytoplasm within a cell or sap through a plant)
   • ocean circulation is an important part of global climate
   • a fan aids air circulation
3. number of copies of a newspaper or magazine that are sold
   • by increasing its circulation the newspaper hoped to increase its advertising
4. (library science) the count of books that are loaned by a library over a specified period
5. movement through a circuit; especially the movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels
6. the dissemination of copies of periodicals (as newspapers or magazines)