circulate
verb (used without object)
to move in a circle or circuit; move or pass through a circuit back to the starting point.
was circulating
-
past progressiveof circulate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
The United Nations agency said the true spread of the virus -- which experts suspect was circulating under the radar for some time -- was probably much wider.
From Barron's ● May 25, 2026
She said this year's flu jab was not proving to be as effective as hoped due to a new mutation that was circulating.
From BBC ● Dec. 2, 2025
Vigilance committees formed across the entire South to ensure that nothing seditious was circulating.
From Salon ● Mar. 19, 2025
In California, officials used wastewater to predict waves of infection and just how much the virus was circulating among populations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 6, 2025
But in the crucible of the moment, another quite plausible definition of leadership was circulating in the upper reaches of the government.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
