circulate
verb (used without object)
to move in a circle or circuit; move or pass through a circuit back to the starting point.
had been circulating
-
past perfect progressiveof circulate.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Questions about the professor’s meteoric rise and astonishing back story had been circulating for a few years in academic circles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
In 2020, SARS-CoV-2 was a novel virus that had been circulating for weeks before it became a global concern.
From MarketWatch ● May 7, 2026
The findings also show that the mosaic incorporates decorative motifs that had been circulating around the Mediterranean for centuries.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 13, 2026
Reports had been circulating for days that the agency embroiled in an often brutal immigration crackdown in the United States could be involved in US security measures for the February 6-22 Games in northern Italy.
From Barron's ● Jan. 27, 2026
The rumors of the queen’s witchery had been circulating long enough, and the young prince was so beloved of the people, that it took very little for them to see the obvious truth.
From "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness
