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propagate

verb

prop·​a·​gate ˈprä-pə-ˌgāt How to pronounce propagate (audio)
propagated; propagating
Synonyms of propagatenext

transitive verb

1
: to cause to continue or increase by sexual or asexual reproduction
2
: to pass along to offspring
3
a
: to cause to spread out and affect a greater number or greater area : extend
b
: to foster growing knowledge of, familiarity with, or acceptance of (something, such as an idea or belief) : publicize
c
: to transmit (something, such as sound or light) through a medium

intransitive verb

1
: to multiply sexually or asexually
2
: increase, extend
3
: to travel through space or a material
—used of wave energy (such as light, sound, or radio waves)
propagative
ˈprä-pə-ˌgā-tiv How to pronounce propagate (audio)
adjective
propagator
ˈprä-pə-ˌgā-tər How to pronounce propagate (audio)
noun

Did you know?

The origins of propagate are firmly rooted in the field of horticulture. The word is a 16th century Latin borrowing, ultimately from the verb propagare, which means "to set (onto a plant) a small shoot or twig cut for planting or grafting." The word's meaning quickly extended from the realm of the farm and field to less material kinds of reproduction, such as the spreading of ideas and beliefs. The similarity between propagate and propaganda is not coincidental; that word also comes to us from propagare, although it took a more circuitous route.

Synonyms of propagate

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Examples of propagate in a Sentence

We are discovering new ways to propagate plants without seeds. He propagated the apple tree by grafting. The plants failed to propagate.
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.
If your plants have already become noticeably bent and rotating their pots doesn’t correct it, support their stems with stakes or cages, or cut the unruly stems and use them to propagate the plants. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026 Prune leggy stems or propagate healthy cuttings to encourage fuller, stronger plants. —Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 14 Jan. 2026 In the last decade the district and its partner organizations have propagated and released more than 38,000 mussels throughout northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana, the release said. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026 Almost all plants grown for retail are propagated in a soil mix that is well-suited to large-scale commercial production but not ideal for home cultivation. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for propagate

Word History

Etymology

Latin propagatus, past participle of propagare to set slips, propagate, from propages slip, offspring, from pro- before + pangere to fasten — more at pro-, pact

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of propagate was in 1535

Rhymes for propagate

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Browse Nearby Words

propagant
propagate
propagating frame
See all Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Propagate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propagate. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.

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Kids Definition

propagate

verb
prop·​a·​gate ˈpräp-ə-ˌgāt How to pronounce propagate (audio)
propagated; propagating
1
: to have or cause to have offspring : multiply sense 1
ways to propagate plants without seeds
propagate an apple by grafting
2
: to cause (as an idea or belief) to spread out and affect a greater number or wider area
propagate a faith

Medical Definition

propagate

verb
prop·​a·​gate ˈpräp-ə-ˌgāt How to pronounce propagate (audio)
propagated; propagating

transitive verb

1
: to cause to continue or increase by sexual or asexual reproduction
2
: to cause to spread or to be transmitted

intransitive verb

: to multiply sexually or asexually
propagable
ˈpräp-ə-gə-bəl How to pronounce propagate (audio)
adjective
propagative
-ˌgāt-iv How to pronounce propagate (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on propagate

Nglish: Translation of propagate for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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