Propagate
/ˈprɒpəɡeɪt/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo spread or promote (an idea, belief, etc.) widely.
/ˈprɒpəɡeɪt/
To spread and promote an idea, theory, etc.
The organization sought to propagate its message of environmental conservation.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're telling your friends about a cool new game. You're trying to *propagate* the idea, get them excited about it too. It's about spreading the word!
👶 For kids: To tell lots of people about something so it becomes known everywhere!
More Examples
Misinformation can quickly propagate through social media platforms.
The teacher propagated a love of reading in her students.
How It's Used
"The political group aimed to propagate their ideologies through public forums."
"The media can propagate information quickly, both accurate and false."
To cause (a plant or animal) to reproduce.
/ˈprɒpəɡeɪt/
To reproduce or multiply.
The gardener learned how to propagate roses through cuttings.
💡 Simply: Like plants making new plants, or animals having babies. *Propagating* means making more of something! Imagine you have a small plant, and you want to make many more. You propagate it.
👶 For kids: To make more of something, like making baby plants from one plant!
More Examples
Certain species of bacteria can propagate very rapidly.
Farmers use various methods to propagate their valuable crops.
How It's Used
"Scientists study how plants propagate through different methods."
"Farmers learn techniques to propagate crops efficiently."
To transmit or spread (a wave, vibration, etc.) in a particular direction.
/ˈprɒpəɡeɪt/
To transmit or spread a wave.
Radio waves propagate through the atmosphere.
💡 Simply: Imagine throwing a stone into a pond. The ripples that spread outwards are *propagating*. It's about the way waves, light, or sound move through something.
👶 For kids: To travel through something, like waves in water.
More Examples
The disturbance propagated outwards from the epicenter of the earthquake.
The sound of the explosion propagated rapidly through the canyon.
How It's Used
"The speed at which sound propagates through a medium depends on its density."
"Engineers design systems that facilitate the propagation of radio waves."
Synonyms
Advance
Broadcast
Circulate
Disseminate
Promote
Breed
Generate
Multiply
Carry
Extend
From Latin *propagare* ('to breed, extend, spread'), from *pro-* ('forth') + *pangere* ('to fasten, fix').
Historically, the word was used in religious and philosophical texts to describe the spread of beliefs or doctrines.
Memory tip
Think of a political campaign trying to spread their ideas to a wider audience.