Definition of DISSEMINATING (original) (raw)
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While the object of the verb disseminate may be something tangible, such as an infectious agent, nowadays the thing most often disseminated, or "spread abroad as though sowing seed," is information. Where does this metaphorical verb come from? In Latin, the dis- prefix signifies separation or dispersal, while the -sem- element springs from semen "seed." The same Latin noun is found in a number of other English words with figurative meanings: seminary (which now is a training facility for priests, but initially was a place where seeds were raised to plants), seminal (meaning "containing the seeds of later development"), and yes, the word semen.
Synonyms
Examples of disseminate in a Sentence
He told me that as Commanding General [General David Petraeus] he believes he should not only direct battlefield action but also disseminate a few easy-to-grasp concepts about the war's prosecution, which subordinate officers can then interpret on their own. —
Steve Coll, New Yorker, 8 Sept. 2008 Jefferson helped found and back a friendly newspaper, the National Gazette, to help disseminate his views. —Walter Kim, Time, 5 July 2004 In this case, the filmmakers did not prevent information from being disseminated. And they have no greater moral obligation than do the highly paid Tom Brokaw or Dan Rather to help a TV network keep down its costs. —Randy Cohen, New York Times Magazine, 7 Oct. 2001 Although possession of virus software and source code is not illegal, many of the existing state and federal computer intrusion and unauthorized access laws already make it illegal to introduce a virus into someone's system intentionally. Robert Morris's conviction … shows how the existing laws might be used to punish those involved with disseminating viruses. —Edward A. Cavazos et al., Cyberspace And The Law, 1994
The Internet allows us to disseminate information faster. The findings were widely disseminated.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This includes Senate Bill 54 and Assembly Bill 21, as well as recent guidelines disseminated by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. —Isidro Ortiz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025 Following an extensive investigation, police said detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging 29-year-old Curtis Field of Vernon with disseminating obscene material to a minor. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 29 Jan. 2025 The order does require agencies to get approval from the White House prior to disseminating external communications, Time magazine reports. —Kendrick Marshall, Sacramento Bee, 29 Jan. 2025 The company is actively disseminating information about the recall through official channels to ensure maximum transparency and consumer awareness. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for disseminate 
Word History
Etymology
Latin disseminatus, past participle of disseminare, from dis- + seminare to sow, from semin-, semen seed — more at semen
First Known Use
1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of disseminate was in 1566
Dictionary Entries Near disseminate
Cite this Entry
“Disseminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disseminate. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 6 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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