propagation

noun

prop·a·ga·tion | \ ˌprä-pə-ˈgā-shən

Definition of propagation

: the act or action of propagating: such as

a : increase (as of a kind of organism) in numbers

b : the spreading of something (such as a belief) abroad or into new regions

c : enlargement or extension (as of a crack) in a solid body

Examples of propagation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Upcoming weekend workshops include block printing, sashiko embroidery, upcycled self-watering planter, test tube propagation station and DIY Bitters, in which folks 21 years old and up will create a custom blend. — Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, "Orlando Science Center: Stargazing, DIY mouse-ear headband sessions set for late-night event," 2 July 2019 As incident light hits these elements, many of its properties change—including its polarization, intensity, phase and direction of propagation. — Alberto Moscatelli, Scientific American, "Tiny Lenses Will Enable Design of Miniature Optical Devices," 1 July 2019 There are currently around 50 fish in the captive refuge, says Gumm, and another ten to twenty maturing in the propagation laboratory, some of which have also started producing eggs. — Jason Bittel, National Geographic, "Brutal beetles kept world’s rarest fish from breeding—until now," 1 Mar. 2019 In particular, the string propagation in both spaces turns out to be identical. — Quanta Magazine, "Quantum Questions Inspire New Math," 30 Mar. 2017 April's now the proud mama of five giraffe babies and will be retired from her zoo's propagation program. — Aj Willingham, CNN, "Teenage heroes, a legendary granddad and everyone's favorite giraffe," 7 June 2019 The Ophiocordyceps unilateralis fungus has just one goal: self-propagation and dispersal. — Jennifer Lu, National Geographic, "How a parasitic fungus turns ants into 'zombies'," 18 Apr. 2019 The analogy is a mathematical one: wave propagation and space-time have similar (but not identical) equations. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Researchers 3D print a wormhole… for sound waves," 6 Dec. 2018 The app comes fully equipped with lessons on propagation, soil types, water, lighting, and more. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "Finally! A New App To Help You Keep Your Plants Alive," 19 Sep. 2018

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