1move continuously or freely through a closed system or area: [no object]:antibodies circulate in the bloodstream [with object]:the fan circulates hot air around the oven
[no object] move around a social function in order to talk to many different people:the couple circulated, chatting to their guests
2pass from place to place or person to person: [no object]:rumours of his arrest circulated [with object]:they were circulating the list to conservation groups
[with object] send copies of a letter or leaflet to (a group of people):tutors were circulated with the handout