Circulation Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of CIRCULATION

1

[noncount]

a

:

the movement of blood through the body that is caused by the pumping action of the heart

• He has bad circulation in his legs.
• The drug improves blood circulation.

b

:

movement of air, water, etc., through the different parts of something

• The attic has poor air circulation.
• the circulation of ocean waters
• Let's open the windows to get some circulation in here.

2

[noncount]

:

the act of passing something (such as money, information, etc.) from person to person or place to place

• This memo is not meant for circulation.

:

the state of being passed from person to person or place to place

• The coins have recently entered circulation.
• That rumor has been in circulation [=has been going around] for a long time.
• The magazine has been taken out of circulation. [=the magazine will no longer be made and sold]

3

[noncount]

:

the state of being actively involved in social activities (such as parties or dates)

• She's finally getting back in/into circulation after her divorce. [=she has started dating and going out again after her divorce]
• He'll be out of circulation [=unable to go out socially] for a while after the surgery.

4

[count]

:

the average number of copies of a newspaper, magazine, etc., that are sold over a particular period

• The newspaper has the largest circulation in the country.
• The magazine has a weekly circulation of about 70,000 subscribers nationwide.