Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Circulation has 7 different meanings across 1 category:
the dissemination of copies of periodicals (as newspapers or magazines)
"The newspaper's circulation increased by ten percent after they added a free weekend edition."
movement through a circuit; especially the movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels
"The doctor checked my pulse to ensure that circulation was normal after I exercised vigorously."
(library science) the count of books that are loaned by a library over a specified period
"The annual circulation report showed that our fiction section had reached its highest number of loans in five years."
number of copies of a newspaper or magazine that are sold
"by increasing its circulation the newspaper hoped to increase its advertising"
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"
the spread or transmission of something (as news or money) to a wider group or area
"The rapid circulation of the rumor caused panic among the entire community before officials could verify the facts."
The act of moving in a circle, or in a course which brings the moving body to the place where its motion began.
"The swimmer completed her lap by performing a full circulation around the pool until she returned to the starting block."
In plain English: Circulation is when something moves around and goes back to where it started over and over again.
"The newspaper has millions in daily circulation across the country."
Usage: Use circulation to describe the movement of blood through vessels or money within an economy rather than physical rotation around a center. This term often confuses readers who expect it solely for circular paths when they should consider whether linear flow is intended instead.
The word circulation entered English from the French via Middle English around the late 14th century. It derives directly from the Latin circulatio, which originally referred to a circular movement or course.