podcast

American  

[pod-kast, ‑-kahst] / ˈpɒdˌkæst, ‑ˌkɑst /

noun

1. a digital audio or video file or recording, usually part of a themed series, that can be downloaded from a website to a media player or computer.

   Download or subscribe to daily, one-hour podcasts of our radio show.

---

verb (used with or without object)

1. to record and upload as a podcast.

   He podcasts once a week on various topics.

   She podcasts her lectures.

podcast British  

/ ˈpɒdˌkɑːst /

noun

1. an audio file similar to a radio broadcast, which can be downloaded and listened to on a computer, mp3 player, mobile phone, etc

---

verb

1. (intr) to create such files and make them available for downloading

2. (tr) to make (music, interviews, etc) available using this format

Other Word Forms

• podcaster
  noun
• podcasting
  noun

Etymology

Origin of podcast

First recorded in 2000-05; iPod + (broad)cast

Explanation

A podcast is a show that you download from the internet and listen to whenever you want. It’s like getting a radio broadcast in a doggy bag. It has nothing to do with seedpods and everything to do with iPods. Podcasts are a lot like radio programs, except you can subscribe to a podcast, download it, and play it on a digital device, like a smartphone or a computer. It’s also very DIY friendly — you could podcast the funny conversations you and your friends have about movies, or a radio play put on at a local elementary school. The word podcast first appeared in 2004, from iPod and broadcast.

Example Sentences

Huw Pill, who is from Cardiff, told the Walescast podcast that the "speed limit at which you can run the economy is a bit lower than it's been in the past".

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2026

The probe was triggered in September when the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast aired an episode detailing a contract Leonard received from Aspiration, a self-described “socially-conscious and sustainable banking services and investment products” firm.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2026

That was former U.S. men’s national team star Landon Donovan, talking about the affordability of America’s youth soccer system on a recent episode of “The Late Run” sports podcast.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 9, 2026

She was listening to a podcast about weight-loss drugs and started to think they might help her too.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2026

He cleared his throat, then held up his hands dramatically: “Dreams like a podcast, Downloading truth in my ears. They tell me cool stuff.”

From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan