broadcast

[ brawd-kast, -kahst ]

verb (used with object)

, broad·cast or broad·cast·ed, broad·cast·ing.

1. to transmit (programs) from a radio or television station.
2. to speak, perform, sponsor, or present on a radio or television program:

   The president will broadcast his message on all stations tonight.

3. to cast or scatter abroad over an area, as seed in sowing.
4. to spread widely; disseminate:

   She broadcast the good news all over town.

5. to indicate unwittingly to another (one's next action); telegraph:

   He broadcast his punch and the other man was able to parry it.

verb (used without object)

, broad·cast or broad·cast·ed, broad·cast·ing.

1. to transmit programs or signals from a radio or television station.
2. to make something known widely; disseminate something.
3. to speak, perform, sponsor, or present all or part of a radio or television program:

   The Boston Symphony Orchestra broadcasts every Saturday on our local station.

noun

1. something that is broadcast.
2. a single radio or television program.
3. the broadcasting of radio or television messages, speeches, etc.
4. a single period of broadcasting
5. a method of sowing by scattering seed.

adjective

1. (of programs) transmitted from a radio or television station.
2. of or relating to broadcasting.
3. cast abroad or all over an area, as seed scattered widely.

adverb

1. so as to reach the greatest number of people by radio or television:

   The vital news was sent broadcast to inform the entire nation.

2. so as to be cast abroad over an area:

   seed sown broadcast.

broadcast

/ ˈbrɔːdˌkɑːst /

verb

1. to transmit (announcements or programmes) on radio or television
2. intr to take part in a radio or television programme
3. tr to make widely known throughout an area

   to broadcast news

4. tr to scatter (seed, etc) over an area, esp by hand

noun

1. 1. a transmission or programme on radio or television
   2. ( as modifier )

      a broadcast signal

2. 1. the act of scattering seeds
   2. ( as modifier )

      the broadcast method of sowing

adjective

1. dispersed over a wide area

   broadcast seeds

adverb

1. far and wide

   seeds to be sown broadcast

Derived Forms

• ˈbroadˌcasting, noun
• ˈbroadˌcaster, noun

Other Words From

• un·broadcasted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of broadcast¹

First recorded in 1760–70; originally, broad (adverb) + cast, past participle of cast ( def )

Example Sentences

Ken Reid will be remembered as a towering figure in broadcasting.

From BBC

There has been a torrent of allegations against the late billionaire businessman since a BBC documentary in September broadcast the claims of 20 women.

From BBC

Adding to the documentary-style realism, the film weaves in actual footage from the ABC broadcast that day, to which Mason helped secure the rights shortly before filming began.

From Los Angeles Times

"We are in the 21st century. It's broadcast live, and it's seen. Nobody can deny it."

From Salon

In his first broadcast interview since taking up the job in September, Martin Hewitt said there was no "simple answer" to stopping people crossing the Channel in small boats.

From BBC

Related Words

• advertise
• announce
• blare
• circulate
• communicate
• declare
• disseminate
• distribute
• publish
• spread

More About Broadcast

What does broadcast mean?

Broadcast means to transmit a television or radio program, as in The network broadcasted cartoons every Saturday morning. 

In this sense a broadcast can be a single TV or radio program, as in the 6 o’clock news broadcast.

Broadcast also means to deliver a message on a transmitted program, as in The police broadcasted the press release on the evening news. 

More generally, broadcast means to spread something widely, as in She broadcasted her recent wedding engagement to all of her family members. 

Related to this sense, a broadcast can be news or something similar that you share widely, like your broadcast to your classmates about the A you got on the test.

Broadcast also means to mistakenly make a next move obvious, as in The boxer broadcasted his punch with a flashy windup. 

Example: Coverage of the awards ceremony was the leading story on every news broadcast. 

Where does broadcast come from?

The first records of broadcast come from around 1760. It combines the word broad, meaning “fully,” and the past tense of the verb cast, meaning “to fling or throw.” The word broadcast has been used to refer to widely distributing (flinging) seeds over a large area when planting.

The word broadcast is used heavily in terms of television and radio. In fact, a person who works in one or both of these industries will often refer to them collectively as broadcasting, as in I had a career in broadcasting. Usually, a broadcast will be specified according to the content that it focuses on, such as a news broadcast or a sports broadcast.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to broadcast?

• unbroadcasted (adjective)
• broadcaster (noun)
• broadcasting (noun)

What are some synonyms for broadcast?

• program
• transmission
• air
• transmit
• advertise
• spread

What are some words that share a root or word element with broadcast? 

• broad
• cast

What are some words that often get used in discussing broadcast?

• television
• radio
• information
• audience
• sports

How is broadcast used in real life?

Broadcast is a commonly used word, especially referring to television or radio programs.

Tune in for Charlie Gibson's final evening broadcast on "World News" at 6:30 p.m. ET. He will truly be missed.

— ABC News (@ABC) December 18, 2009

First time in history, a Pakistani leader's victory speech was broadcasted worldwide by international media giants. 'Change' hits Pakistan.

— Dr Saqlain Shah (@DrSaqlainSh) July 26, 2018

Discovery, which will tonight broadcast messages on Sky warning of the blackout, says it is paid less for its channels now than in 2006

— Mark Sweney (@marksweney) January 25, 2017

Try using broadcast!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of broadcast?

A. announce
B. spread
C. hide
D. declare