Propagate Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of PROPAGATE

1

[+ object]

formal

:

to make (something, such as an idea or belief) known to many people

• The group propagates [=_promotes_] its antigovernment doctrine on the Web.

2

technical

:

to produce (a new plant)

[+ object]

• We are discovering new ways to propagate plants without seeds.
• He propagated the apple tree by grafting.

[no object]

• The plants failed to propagate.

— propagation

/ˌprɑːpəˈgeɪʃən/

noun

[noncount]

• the propagation of plants/ideas

— propagator

/ˈprɑːpəˌgeɪtɚ/

noun,

plural

propagators

[count]

• a propagator of new ideas
• plant propagators