disseminate

[ dih-sem-uh-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·sem·i·nat·ed, dis·sem·i·nat·ing.

1. to scatter or spread widely, as though sowing seed; promulgate extensively; broadcast; disperse:

   to disseminate information about preventive medicine.

disseminate

/ dɪˈsɛmɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. tr to distribute or scatter about; diffuse

Derived Forms

• disˈsemiˌnator, noun
• disˈseminative, adjective
• disˌsemiˈnation, noun

Other Words From

• dis·sem·i·na·tion [dih-sem-, uh, -, ney, -sh, uh, n], noun
• dis·sem·i·na·tive adjective
• dis·sem·i·na·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disseminate¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin dissēminātus (past participle of dissēmināre; dis- dis- ¹ + sēmināre “to sow”), equivalent to dis- + sēmin- (stem of sēmen “seed”) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of disseminate¹

C17: from Latin dissēmināre, from dis- ¹+ sēmināre to sow, from sēmen seed

Example Sentences

Russia also disseminated false information to benefit Trump, spreading fake videos and election-related press releases across multiple social media platforms, including a hoax impersonating FBI officials to scare people away from the polls.

From Salon

They suspected that she had developed a dangerous complication of sepsis known as disseminated intravascular coagulation; she was bleeding internally.

From Salon

Using a fictitious San Francisco news outlet, Russian surrogates have disseminated “fabricated videos designed to sow discord and spread disinformation” about the Kamala Harris presidential campaign, Microsoft said in a statement last week.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of what the film distills is the fact that there are so many venues disseminating disinformation, whether the actors are Russian or others, and that all of it is tied to authoritarianism’s rise.

From Salon

Humber allegedly narrated the publication and disseminated it in audiobook form.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advertise
• circulate
• disperse
• propagate
• publicize
• publish

More About Disseminate

What does disseminate mean?

To disseminate is to distribute, spread, broadcast, or disperse widely.

The act or process of disseminating is dissemination.

The word is especially used in reference to the distribution of information, or things that contain information, like files and documents.

It is also associated with the official release of such information by organizations, such as a company that disseminates a press release or a government agency that disseminates information to the public.

Example: Our chief media officer is responsible for disseminating press releases to various outlets.

Where does disseminate come from?

The first records of the word disseminate come from around 1600. It comes from the Latin verb dissēmināre, from sēmināre, “to sow,” from sēmen, “seed.”

Sometimes, disseminating information is like scattering seeds in a field, with the goal being to spread it far and wide to the largest number of people possible—like when someone sends out a company-wide email. Other times, disseminating information may involve sending it to a more select set of recipients, such as a press release that’s only provided to certain journalists or news organizations. Sometimes, it happens in a much less organized way, such as on the internet, where the dissemination of information (and misinformation) is rapid and often unpredictable.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to disseminate?

• dissemination (noun)

What are some synonyms for disseminate?

• promulgation
• spread
• dispersion
• circulation

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

• seminar

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

 

• information
• documents
• files
• research
• plan
• internet

How is disseminate used in real life?

Disseminate is most commonly used in discussion of the purposeful spread of information.

Namibia Red Cross Society also conducts community outreach activities to disseminate information on humanitarian work. #ServingHumanity pic.twitter.com/WE0ZlRphMv

— Namibia Red Cross (@NamibiaRedCross) August 25, 2020

Announcement!!!

I am releasing a Do-It-Yourself Dissemination tool kit for researchers to efficiently fulfill their obligation to disseminate their findings to stakeholders!

(Bonus: templates and examples included)

(1/4)#scicommhttps://t.co/xL5LebF2DR

— Keri N Althoff (@kerinalthoff) November 18, 2019

How can we stop the next human pandemic before it starts? Some scientists think self-disseminating vaccines for wildlife could be the answer. I explore this idea in my latest for @QuantaMagazine. With @NuismerScott, @DanielStreicker, @mebottazzi & others.
https://t.co/fvaT6F4tRE

— Rodrigo Pérez Ortega (@rpocisv) August 24, 2020

 

 

Try using disseminate!

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

A. disperse
B. spread
C. circulate
D. conceal