propaganda

[ prop-uh-gan-duh ]

noun

1. information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.
2. the deliberate spreading of such information, rumors, etc.
3. the particular doctrines or principles propagated by an organization or movement.
4. Roman Catholic Church.
   1. a committee of cardinals, established in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV, having supervision over foreign missions and the training of priests for these missions.
   2. a school College of Propaganda established by Pope Urban VIII for the education of priests for foreign missions.
5. Archaic. an organization or movement for the spreading of propaganda.

Propaganda

¹

/ ˌprɒpəˈɡændə /

noun

1. RC Church a congregation responsible for directing the work of the foreign missions and the training of priests for these

propaganda

²

/ ˌprɒpəˈɡændə /

noun

1. the organized dissemination of information, allegations, etc, to assist or damage the cause of a government, movement, etc
2. such information, allegations, etc

propaganda

1. Official government communications to the public that are designed to influence opinion. The information may be true or false, but it is always carefully selected for its political effect.

Derived Forms

• ˌpropaˈgandism, noun
• ˌpropaˈgandist, nounadjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of propaganda¹

First recorded in 1710–20; from New Latin, short for congregātiō dē propāgandā fidē “congregation for propagating the faith”; propāgandā, ablative singular feminine gerundive of propāgāre; propagate

Word History and Origins

Origin of propaganda¹

C18: from Italian, use of propāgandā in the New Latin title Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide Sacred Congregation for Propagating the Faith

Example Sentences

She has put forward Russian propaganda so often that the country's state media even calls her "our girlfriend."

From Salon

The nomination has raised questions over Gabbard's lack of experience in intelligence as well as accusations that she has in the past amplified Russia propaganda.

From BBC

It’s a promotion of facts over dangerous propaganda.

From Salon

Musk and Kimmel have been at it since last week when the Tesla CEO called the comedian an “insufferable nonsense propaganda puppet.”

From Los Angeles Times

It represents a failure of much of the education system to help students discern the difference between news and propaganda.

From Salon

Related Words

• disinformation
• hype
• indoctrination
• publicity