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.

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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

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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

“Two-hit wonders” are the subject of Slate’s latest Hit Parade podcast, where host Chris Molanphy counts down his favorite fluky examples.

From Slate • Jun. 29, 2026

Last year, iHeartMedia introduced its “Guaranteed Human” campaign, an ongoing pledge that no iHeartMedia station or podcast will feature an AI-generated personality or AI-generated music.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2026

A former chief equity analyst at Mauldin Economics, Ross writes the investment newsletter Let’s Analyze on Substack and hosts the weekly “Room to Run” podcast.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 29, 2026

This podcast series examines the strategies emerging to solve the country’s housing shortfall as high interest rates and a chronic shortage of inventory have pushed the U.S. housing market to a breaking point.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 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