Word
propagation
Phoneticsprop·a·ga·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌpɹɑpəˈɡeɪʃən/
UK/pɹˌɒpɐɡˈeɪʃən/
Uncountable noun
In Japanese
breeding; propagation; reproduction
propagation (e.g. a religion); proselytizing; missionary work
Japanese from JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0. All sources.
Definition
n. the act of spreading something to a larger area or more people. It can describe how plants grow new ones, how news travels, or how sound moves through the air.
n. the act of spreading or transmitting something, such as an idea, a wave, or a biological organism, from one point to another. Often refers to the reproduction of plants or the movement of energy through a medium.
Examples
“The propagation of the news was very fast.”
“Gardeners use stem cuttings for the propagation of rare roses to ensure the new plants are identical to the original.”
“The rapid propagation of misinformation across digital platforms has forced researchers to develop more sophisticated algorithms for real-time fact-checking and source verification.”
Examples
simple
“The propagation of the news was very fast.”
contextual
“Gardeners use stem cuttings for the propagation of rare roses to ensure the new plants are identical to the original.”
complex
“The rapid propagation of misinformation across digital platforms has forced researchers to develop more sophisticated algorithms for real-time fact-checking and source verification.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'of' to indicate what is being spread.
Real-World Examples
“The synthetic images accurately reproduced the vortexes’ appearance and dynamics, including growth rate, distribution, and propagation speeds, which led the team to conclude their observations are most likely real.” “By combining material flow analysis with a multilayer shock propagation model, researchers found that risks often originate in upstream parts of the supply chain but become most severe at key refining and manufacturing bottlenecks.” Etymology
From Middle French propagation, from Old French propagacion, from Latin propagatio. Morphologically propagate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 1
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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