propagate

[ prop-uh-geyt ]

verb (used with object)

, prop·a·gat·ed, prop·a·gat·ing.

1. to cause (an organism) to multiply by any process of natural reproduction from the parent stock.
2. to reproduce (itself, its kind, etc.), as an organism does.
3. to transmit (hereditary features or elements) to, or through, offspring.
4. to spread (a report, doctrine, practice, etc.) from person to person; disseminate.
5. to cause to increase in number or amount.
6. to create (an effect) at a distance, as by electromagnetic waves, compression waves, etc., traveling through space or a physical medium; transmit:

   to propagate sound.

7. to spread (a disease) from one individual to another:

   Dr. John Atlee believed believed that filthy living conditions probably propagated cholera.

8. Computers. to cause (an update or other alteration) to take effect throughout a network of devices:

   The active master database replicates updates to the standby master database, which propagates the updates to the subscribers.

verb (used without object)

, prop·a·gat·ed, prop·a·gat·ing.

1. to multiply by any process of natural reproduction, as organisms; breed.
2. to increase in extent, as a structural flaw:

   The crack will propagate only to this joint.

3. (of electromagnetic waves, compression waves, etc.) to travel through space or a physical medium.
4. Computers. to take effect throughout a network of devices.

propagate

/ ˈprɒpəˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. biology to reproduce or cause to reproduce; breed
2. tr horticulture to produce (plants) by layering, grafting, cuttings, etc
3. tr to promulgate; disseminate
4. physics to move through, cause to move through, or transmit, esp in the form of a wave

   to propagate sound

5. tr to transmit (characteristics) from one generation to the next

Derived Forms

• ˌpropaˈgational, adjective
• ˌpropaˈgation, noun
• ˈpropagative, adjective

Other Words From

• prop·a·ga·tive prop·a·ga·to·ry [prop, -, uh, -g, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective
• prop·a·ga·tor noun
• non·prop·a·ga·tive adjective
• self-prop·a·gat·ing adjective
• un·prop·a·ga·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of propagate¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin propāgātus (past participle of propāgāre “to reproduce (a plant) by cuttings, spread for sprouting, propagate, enlarge),” equivalent to propāg(ēs) “something set out, scion, slip” ( pro- pro- ¹ + pāg-, base of pangere “to fasten” + -ēs noun suffix) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of propagate¹

C16: from Latin propāgāre to increase (plants) by cuttings, from propāgēs a cutting, from pangere to fasten

Example Sentences

The second type of self-disseminating vaccine, the transmissible one, consists of live modified viruses that propagate a weakened form of a disease.

From Quanta Magazine

Emotionally charged prejudices are propagated from generation to generation by parental and adult authority and by the use of myths and symbols.

From MIT Technology Review

The lie started out as a rumor, which was first picked up and propagated by the American PR firm Hill & Knowlton.

From Ozy

The precise history of these self-propagating stories here on Earth is excruciatingly hard to decode because what we see are the successes.

From Nautilus

If recombination happened earlier than supposed due to the clumping effect of magnetic fields, then sound waves couldn’t have propagated as far beforehand, and the resulting blobs would be smaller.

From Quanta Magazine

Anti-abortion organizations tend to tend to propagate the idea that the procedure is dangerous and unproven.

From The Daily Beast

Online, commenters seeking a way in or claiming to have visited the site propagate stories about the Cold War bunker.

From The Daily Beast

Those who propagate it are considered paranoids or activists with an axe to grind.

From The Daily Beast

Neocon supporters of Netanyahu like David Frum propagate this view as well.

From The Daily Beast

He was stern but never oppressive – we knew abuse of power and would not propagate it in our personal lives.

From The Daily Beast

These animals prefer cold countries, but can subsist and propagate in temperate ones.

From Project Gutenberg

If they could propagate their own they would be more likely to plant them.

From Project Gutenberg

June is also the proper time to propagate pinks and carnations by pipings.

From Project Gutenberg

In the species of the hen and pigeon, a great number of races have been very lately produced, all of which propagate their kinds.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a mutual action of male and female, with instruments ordained for that purpose to propagate their kind.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• circulate
• disseminate
• publicize
• transmit