plural syndicates
1
a
: a group of people or businesses that work together
A syndicate owns the company.
—often + ofThe company is owned by a syndicate of investors.
The money for the project was provided by a syndicate of banks.
b
: a group of people who are involved in organized crime
a crime syndicate
2
: a business that sells something (such as a piece of writing, comic strip, or photograph) to several different newspapers or magazines for publication at the same time : a business that syndicates something
3
: a group of newspapers that are managed by one company
a newspaper syndicate
syndicates; syndicated; syndicating
1
: to sell (something, such as a piece of writing, comic strip, or photograph) to many different newspapers or magazines for publication at the same time
The company syndicates her work.
—often used as (be) syndicatedHis column is syndicated in all the major newspapers.
a syndicated column/columnist
2
: to sell (a series of television or radio programs) to many different stations at the same time
The company syndicated the show to local stations.
—often used as (be) syndicatedThe program has been syndicated nationally.
a syndicated program
Cite this Entry
“Syndicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/syndicate. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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