circulation
ser-kyuh-LAY-shuhn
/ˌsɜː.kjəˈleɪ.ʃən/
The total number of copies of a newspaper, magazine, or periodical distributed and sold, or the movement of items through a system.
In print media, circulation measures commercial reach, distinguishing verified sales from casual reader impressions.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'circulus', meaning a small circle, circulation originally referred to circular movement, such as planetary orbits or blood moving through human veins. In the 18th century, publishers adopted the word to describe how physical copies of newspapers moved in a continuous circuit from printing presses to readers.
Word relationships
- distribution: Distribution is the physical process of delivery, while circulation refers to the verified count or state of being distributed.
- withholding: Withholding means keeping something back from release or distribution.
Commonly confused with
- readership: Circulation is the number of copies sold or distributed, whereas readership is the total estimated number of people who read those copies.
Word family
- circulate (verb): to move around or pass from person to person
- circulatory (adjective): relating to circulation
Collocations
- daily circulation
- print circulation
- mass circulation
- in circulation
Idioms & expressions
- in circulation
Example sentences
- "The local daily paper saw its print circulation drop sharply as readers migrated to digital news platforms." Newspaper industry
- "During the late 19th century, sensational headlines pushed the newspaper's circulation past one million copies." Journalism history
Memory hook
CIRCLES move round and round, just like copies circulating among readers. Copies moving in a continuous loop.
When not to use
Do not confuse with readership, which estimates total readers including those who share copies.
Fun facts
- In the 1800s, newsboys in New York bought papers at wholesale and sold them on street corners, directly driving daily circulation numbers.
Related words
Explore more words
reach, distribution, throughput, periodic, publication, journal
Also appears in
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