propagation
Americannoun
-
the act of propagating.
-
the fact of being propagated.
-
multiplication by natural reproduction.
-
transmission or dissemination.
- Synonyms:
- diffusion, dispersion
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of propagation
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English propagacyon, from Latin propāgātiōn-, stem of propāgātiō; equivalent to propagate + -ion
Explanation
If your dog is about to have puppies, then she's engaged in the propagation of dogs, the creation of new life to further the species. Propagation has two main uses, both having to do with multiplying something. If it's used in relation to creatures, that means that the creatures are multiplying — having kids. A synonym for this is procreation. You can also use propagation for anything that multiplies and spreads through larger and larger numbers or spaces — from the propagation of weeds in your garden to the propagation of a new idea. In physics, propagation is wave movement.
Vocabulary lists containing propagation
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
A Brief History of Time
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Centuries of human intervention - selective breeding and propagation - have made the genetic background of many commercial orchids a "disaster", according to leading Dutch orchid breeding firm Floricultura.
From BBC ● May 14, 2026
By contrast, the American propagation of individual rights and democracy has, from the beginning, supplemented and occasionally replaced such considerations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 26, 2026
Observations have included spikes in electron density, drops in ionospheric altitude, and slower propagation of medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 24, 2026
They also used the circuits to generate pulses of hadrons, then simulated how those pulses evolved over time to track their propagation.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 19, 2025
I was ignorant of the inverse square law for light propagation.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
