propaganda

American  

[prop-uh-gan-duh] / ˌprɒp əˈgæn də /

noun

1. information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.

2. the deliberate spreading of such information, rumors, etc.

3. the particular doctrines or principles propagated by an organization or movement.

4. Roman Catholic Church.

   1. a committee of cardinals, established in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV, having supervision over foreign missions and the training of priests for these missions.

   2. a school College of Propaganda established by Pope Urban VIII for the education of priests for foreign missions.

5. Archaic. an organization or movement for the spreading of propaganda.

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Propaganda ¹ British  

/ ˌprɒpəˈɡændə /

noun

1. RC Church a congregation responsible for directing the work of the foreign missions and the training of priests for these

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propaganda ² British  

/ ˌprɒpəˈɡændə /

noun

1. the organized dissemination of information, allegations, etc, to assist or damage the cause of a government, movement, etc

2. such information, allegations, etc

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propaganda Cultural  

1. Official government communications to the public that are designed to influence opinion. The information may be true or false, but it is always carefully selected for its political effect.

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Other Word Forms

• propagandism noun
• propagandist noun

Etymology

Origin of propaganda

First recorded in 1710–20; from New Latin, short for congregātiō dē propāgandā fidē “congregation for propagating the faith”; propāgandā, ablative singular feminine gerundive of propāgāre; propagate

Example Sentences

"We hope the American people will continue to support our mission to produce journalism, not propaganda," she told the Associated Press news agency.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Seeking to resist the intensity of pro-war propaganda at his school, Talankin eventually teamed up with US filmmaker David Borenstein and fled Russia in 2024, leaving behind his mother, brothers and sisters.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

James J. Kimble, a communication professor and propaganda historian at Seton Hall University, said U.S. presidents have “by and large” struck a respectful tone in wartime, though there are some exceptions.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

Official propaganda exhorted citizens to face their lives and their duty to the Fatherland with endurance and perseverance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

If I found something strange—like a World War II-era propaganda poster on the wall—I took a picture of it.

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia

Related Words

• disinformation
• hype
• indoctrination
• publicity