propagation

noun

prop·​a·​ga·​tion ˌprä-pə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce propagation (audio)
: the act or action of propagating: such as
a
: increase (as of a kind of organism) in numbers
b
: the spreading of something (such as a belief) abroad or into new regions
c
: enlargement or extension (as of a crack) in a solid body

Examples of propagation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There are many types of produce on store shelves that can be turned into thriving garden plants through seed saving and propagation, which can help to stretch a grocery bill and make for a fun experiment. Alex Groves, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Despite this, hip-hop owes much of its early development and propagation to an underground economy that the record industry didn’t understand or capitalize on. John Morrison, SPIN, 13 Feb. 2024 In 1822, Mason leased his mansion, land, servants and farmhands to landscape architect and horticulturist Richard Southern, who cultivated the soil for farming, including the propagation of tomatoes. Sue Eisenfeld, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2024 Consider this another opportunity to add to your tending tools, like these bonsai shears and propagation vessels that both keep tasks tidy. 9. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024 Using those for propagation is gentler than digging out the entire clump and dividing it. Nadia Hassani, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2024 Dynamics of frost propagation How the ice crystals form and grow is a longstanding subject of scientific interest. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023 This propagation station has no shortage of spots for cuttings to root in water. Helen Bradshaw, Popular Science, 9 Nov. 2023 Give the present of endless botanical possibilities this season with this propagation station. Kirsten Chanel Webber, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'propagation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of propagation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near propagation

Cite this Entry

“Propagation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propagation. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

propagation

noun
prop·​a·​ga·​tion ˌpräp-ə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce propagation (audio)
: the act or process of propagating: as
a
: multiplication (as of a kind of living thing) in number of individuals
b
: the spreading of something (as a belief) abroad or into new regions

Medical Definition

propagation

noun
prop·​a·​ga·​tion ˌpräp-ə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce propagation (audio)
: the act or action of propagating: as
a
: increase (as of a kind of organism) in numbers
propagation of a pure culture of bacteria
b
: the spreading or transmission of something
propagation of a nerve impulse
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