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Synonyms

broadcast

American  
[brawd-kast, -kahst] / ˈbrɔdˌkæst, -ˌkɑst /

verb (used with object)

broadcast, broadcasted, broadcasting
  1. to transmit (programs) from a radio or television station.

  2. to speak, perform, sponsor, or present on a radio or television program.

    The president will broadcast his message on all stations tonight.

  3. to cast or scatter abroad over an area, as seed in sowing.

  4. to spread widely; disseminate.

    She broadcast the good news all over town.

  5. to indicate unwittingly to another (one's next action); telegraph.

    He broadcast his punch and the other man was able to parry it.


verb (used without object)

broadcast, broadcasted, broadcasting
  1. to transmit programs or signals from a radio or television station.

  2. to make something known widely; disseminate something.

  3. to speak, perform, sponsor, or present all or part of a radio or television program.

    The Boston Symphony Orchestra broadcasts every Saturday on our local station.

noun

  1. something that is broadcast.

  2. a single radio or television program.

  3. the broadcasting of radio or television messages, speeches, etc.

  4. a single period of broadcasting

  5. a method of sowing by scattering seed.

adjective

  1. (of programs) transmitted from a radio or television station.

  2. of or relating to broadcasting.

  3. cast abroad or all over an area, as seed scattered widely.

adverb

  1. so as to reach the greatest number of people by radio or television.

    The vital news was sent broadcast to inform the entire nation.

  2. so as to be cast abroad over an area.

    seed sown broadcast.

broadcast British  
/ ˈbrɔːdˌkɑːst /

verb

  1. to transmit (announcements or programmes) on radio or television

  2. (intr) to take part in a radio or television programme

  3. (tr) to make widely known throughout an area

    to broadcast news

  4. (tr) to scatter (seed, etc) over an area, esp by hand

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

    1. a transmission or programme on radio or television

    2. ( as modifier )

      a broadcast signal

    1. the act of scattering seeds

    2. ( as modifier )

      the broadcast method of sowing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. dispersed over a wide area

    broadcast seeds

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. far and wide

    seeds to be sown broadcast

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does broadcast mean? Broadcast means to transmit a television or radio program, as in The network broadcasted cartoons every Saturday morning. In this sense a broadcast can be a single TV or radio program, as in the 6 o’clock news broadcast.Broadcast also means to deliver a message on a transmitted program, as in The police broadcasted the press release on the evening news. More generally, broadcast means to spread something widely, as in She broadcasted her recent wedding engagement to all of her family members. Related to this sense, a broadcast can be news or something similar that you share widely, like your broadcast to your classmates about the A you got on the test.Broadcast also means to mistakenly make a next move obvious, as in The boxer broadcasted his punch with a flashy windup. Example: Coverage of the awards ceremony was the leading story on every news broadcast. 

Other Word Forms

  • broadcaster noun
  • broadcasting noun
  • unbroadcasted adjective

Etymology

Origin of broadcast

First recorded in 1760–70; originally, broad (adverb) + cast, past participle of cast ( def. )

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.

Yet here, on the Berliners’ own label, is a deluxe set of 24 discs, complete with lavish hardbound book, featuring Karajan and the orchestra in radio broadcasts from 1953 through 1969.

From The Wall Street Journal

The King is expected to talk about the "pilgrimage" of life, and the lessons it can teach about the issues of the day, in a message broadcast at 15.00 on Christmas Day.

From BBC

Several Turkish media outlets broadcast images showing the sky lit up by an explosion not far from the location where the aircraft sent a signal.

From Barron's

While newer cutting-edge series typically win critical kudos and accolades, Gen Z and Gen Alpha viewers are binge-watching programs that became hits on the broadcast and cable networks in the pre-streaming era.

From Los Angeles Times

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the cabinet meeting that a station broadcasting under the authority of the military was highly unusual.

From BBC