Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » propagate

propagate

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

To propagate is to breed plants or animals, to cause something to increase in number, or to spread an idea.

(verb)

An example of propagate is when you breed dogs by having the male impregnate the female.
An example of propagate is when you spread an idea around until many people are aware of the idea in a wide geographic area.

See propagate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

to cause (a plant or animal) to reproduce itself; raise or breed
to reproduce (itself); multiply: said of a plant or animal
to transmit (hereditary characteristics) by reproduction
to spread (ideas, customs, etc.) from one person or place to another
to transmit (esp. sound waves or electromagnetic radiation) through a medium

Origin: < L propagatus, pp. of propagare, to peg down, set < propago, slip for transplanting < pro-, before + pag-, base of pangere, to fasten: see peace

intransitive verb

to reproduce or multiply, as plants or animals

Related Forms:

propagative adjective
propagator noun

See propagate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb prop·a·gat·ed, prop·a·gat·ing, prop·a·gates

verb, transitive

To cause (an organism) to multiply or breed.
To breed (offspring).
To transmit (characteristics) from one generation to another.
To cause to extend to a broader area or larger number; spread: missionaries who propagate the faith.
To make widely known; publicize: propagate a rumor.
Physics To cause (a wave, for example) to move in some direction or through a medium; transmit.

verb, intransitive