propagate

verb

prop·a·gate | \ ˈprä-pə-ˌgāt

propagated; propagating

Definition of propagate

transitive verb

1 : to cause to continue or increase by sexual or asexual reproduction

2 : to pass along to offspring

3a : to cause to spread out and affect a greater number or greater area : extend

b : to foster growing knowledge of, familiarity with, or acceptance of (something, such as an idea or belief) : publicize

c : to transmit (something, such as sound or light) through a medium

intransitive verb

1 : to multiply sexually or asexually

2 : increase, extend

3 : to travel through space or a material —used of wave energy (such as light, sound, or radio waves)

Other Words from propagate Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about propagate

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Did You Know?

The origins of propagate are firmly rooted in the field of horticulture. The word was borrowed into English in the late 16th century from Latin propagatus, the past participle of the verb propagare, which means "to set (onto a plant) a small shoot or twig cut for planting or grafting." Propagare, in turn, derives from propages, meaning "layer (of a plant), slip, offspring." It makes sense, therefore, that the earliest uses of propagate referred to facilitating the reproduction of a plant or animal. Nowadays, however, the meaning of propagate can extend to the "reproduction" of something intangible, such as an idea or belief. Incidentally, propaganda also comes to us from propagare, although it took a somewhat different route into English.

Examples of propagate in a Sentence

We are discovering new ways to propagate plants without seeds. He propagated the apple tree by grafting. The plants failed to propagate.

Recent Examples on the Web

Last year, The New York Times wrote about climate-denier groups that have purchased Google's AdWords to surface sites propagating claims that global warming is a hoax. — Renee Diresta, WIRED, "The Complexity of Simply Searching for Medical Advice," 3 July 2018 This is how the rules of the patriarchy propagate themselves. — Brian Gresko, Longreads, "Wrestling With My Father," 12 June 2018 On the West Bank they are led by the affable but unreliable Mr. Abbas, who is 83 and in the 14th year of his four-year term, continues to propagate base anti-Semitism. — Daniel J. Arbess, WSJ, "Is Trump Following a Grand Mideast Strategy?," 5 June 2018 Kentucky is suing Walgreens (wba, +1.50%), accusing the pharmacy chain of propagating the opioid crisis hitting the state. — Natasha Bach, Fortune, "Why Kentucky Is Suing Walgreens Over the Opioid Crisis," 15 June 2018 The government has accused the activists of wanting to cultivate opium poppies and of propagating Maoist revolution. — The Economist, "Stone-carving villagers make Indian officials jittery," 7 June 2018 Planting Justice also has a long-term lease on another farm for propagating trees. — Patricia Leigh Brown, New York Times, "Kale, Not Jail: Urban Farming Nonprofit Helps Ex-Cons Re-enter Society," 17 May 2018 Leaf Cutting Leaf cuttings are great for propagating plants with fleshy leaves, like African violets or Rex begonias. — Sunset, "How to Propagate Your Houseplants," 22 Jan. 2018 America’s banks play a crucial role in global financial intermediation, helping to propagate changes in sentiment around the world. — The Economist, "Rate rises affect global markets—and may feed back to America," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'propagate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.