broadcast
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to send out a programme on television, radio, or the internet.
v.to transmit audio or video content via radio waves or digital signals to a broad audience.
Simple“The BBC will broadcast the concert live to millions of people tonight.”
In context“The network plans to broadcast the documentary series simultaneously across its digital platforms and traditional cable channels to maximise viewership.”
UsageThe past tense is usually 'broadcast', though 'broadcasted' is increasingly common in informal speech.
PitfallThe news was broadcasted at six. The news was broadcast at six.While 'broadcasted' is sometimes used, 'broadcast' is the standard past tense and past participle form in most contexts.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to tell something to a lot of people, especially a secret.
v.to make information widely known; to disseminate news or gossip extensively.
Simple“You shouldn't broadcast your private problems on social media.”
In context“The company chose not to broadcast the merger details until the legal contracts were officially signed by both parties.”
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
v.to scatter seeds over a wide area of ground.
v.to sow seeds by scattering them broadly over the surface of the soil rather than in discrete rows.
Simple“The farmer used a machine to broadcast the grass seed across the field.”
In context“Before the invention of the seed drill, farmers would broadcast grain by hand, leading to uneven crop distribution and significant waste.”
Teacher's tipThis is the original literal meaning of the word, though it is now mostly restricted to agricultural and horticultural contexts.
- 04 B1 Intermediate
n.a single radio or television programme.
n.a specific transmission or programme on radio or television.
Simple“I missed the evening broadcast because I was working late.”
In context“The emergency broadcast interrupted regular programming to provide citizens with vital information regarding the approaching storm.”
Synonyms - 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.relating to the business of making radio or television programmes.
adj.pertaining to the transmission of signals or the industry of radio and television production.
Simple“She is looking for a job in broadcast journalism.”
In context“The candidate's extensive background in broadcast media gave her a distinct advantage during the televised debates.”
- 06 C2 Proficiency
adv.spread out in many directions over a large area.
adv.in a manner that scatters or spreads things widely in all directions.
Simple“The seeds were flung broadcast across the meadow.”
In context“The news of the uprising was spread broadcast throughout the colonies, igniting a spirit of rebellion in even the most remote settlements.”
Usage broadcast deal · broadcast live · broadcast rewritten
“Russia believes the United States is deeply involved in Ukrainian attacks against it and has raised the issue with Washington, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in comments broadcast on Friday.”
“At one point in the broadcast, the host is heard saying: “I look over (at one team) and the average age I reckon is about 13 or 14.”
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰer-der.? Proto-Germanic *braidaz Proto-West Germanic *braid Old English brād Middle English brod English broad Proto-Germanic *kas- Proto-Germanic *kastōną Old Norse kastabor. Middle English casten English cast English broadcast From broad + cast. First attested in the mid 18th century, in the agricultural use of spreading seeds.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.