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

Not long ago, Kirby was at a meeting of the global airline trade association, he told the Airlines Confidential podcast, when he looked around the room full of his peers and stated the obvious.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

“Ain’t got time to be slowing down,” the 34-year-old rapper told podcast host Andrew Bachman.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

"They're market leaders in the podcast space, whereas we're a 'video-first' business. They were 'eyes optional', and now pivoting into some video. We've always said we're 'ears optional'."

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

Heidecker, 50 years old, is known for the early sketch comedy series “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!” as well as the podcast and show “Office Hours Live” and appearances in “Bridesmaids” and “Portlandia.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

She timidly reminds Dad of her summer internship at an artsy podcast, which starts tomorrow in downtown Chicago.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller