propagation

noun

prop·​a·​ga·​tion ˌprä-pə-ˈgā-shən 

: 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

This difference allows physicists to disentangle the exchange of electrical charge that occurs as a ruthenium-zirconium collision unfolds, tracking its propagation through the myriad new particles produced. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2026

Policy-as-code engines, metadata propagation, append-only ledgers and field-level scoping are all established techniques. — Gopichand Mannava, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Whether harvesting thyme for use in the kitchen or as cuttings for propagation, avoid removing too much of the mother plant. — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 11 Aug. 2026

The synthetic images accurately reproduced the vortexes’ appearance and dynamics, including growth rate, distribution, and propagation speeds, which led the team to conclude their observations are most likely real. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for propagation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

propagation

noun

prop·​a·​ga·​tion ˌpräp-ə-ˈgā-shən 

: the act or process of propagating: as

a

: multiplication (as of a kind of living thing) in number of individuals

b

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

Medical Definition

propagation

noun

prop·​a·​ga·​tion ˌpräp-ə-ˈgā-shən 

: the act or action of propagating: as

a

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

propagation of a pure culture of bacteria

b

: the spreading or transmission of something

propagation of a nerve impulse