broadcast

1 of 4

verb

broad·​cast ˈbrȯd-ˌkast 

broadcast also broadcasted; broadcasting

transitive verb

1

: to scatter or sow (seed or something similar) over a broad area

broadcasting seed

broadcasting fertilizer on a lawn

2

: to make widely known

A man who—make no mistake—cares deeply, but doesn't feel the need to broadcast it.

—Allison Glock

3

: to send out or transmit (something, such as a program) by means of radio or television or by streaming over the Internet

an event being broadcast live on television

Poker was first broadcast on television in 1993, but it wasn't until 2002 that the game became watchable.

—Josh Tyrangiel

… part of a campaign to get people to go online to a fashion show that was broadcast live over the Internet.

—David Noack

intransitive verb

1

: to transmit a broadcast

Among the group's claims to fame is that it was the first band to broadcast live over the Internet.

—John Markoff

2

: to speak or perform on a broadcast program

broadcaster

ˈbrȯd-ˌka-stər 

noun

broadcast

2 of 4

noun

plural broadcasts

1

: a program that is broadcast on radio or television or over the Internet

listening to a radio broadcast

a live nationwide broadcast

2

: the act of transmitting sound or images by radio or television

the broadcast of court proceedings

Less than two years ago, the broadcast of digital television—from transmitter tower to home antenna—was considered to be science fiction.

—George Mannes

3

: a casting or scattering in all directions (as of seed from the hand in sowing)

… those of us who oppose the wanton broadcast of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers on lawn and garden …

—Maxine Kumin

broadcast

3 of 4

adjective

1

: cast or scattered in all directions

2

: made public by means of radio or television

3

: of or relating to radio or television broadcasting

broadcast

4 of 4

adverb

: to or over a broad area

Synonyms

Verb

• circulate
• disseminate
• propagate
• spread

Examples of broadcast in a Sentence

Verb

The station broadcasts the symphony live every Friday night.

The interview was broadcast from London.

If you tell her anything about your personal life she'll broadcast it to everyone in the office.

broadcast fertilizer on the lawn

Noun

Did you hear the broadcast of last night's game?

The judge decided to allow broadcast of the trial.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Their lavish ceremony at Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica on Dec. 17, 1994 was broadcast live on Canadian television. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 Dec. 2024

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 18 Dec. 2024

Noun

That’s why the NBA chose Amazon and NBCUniversal as its two new partners – one with a global streaming service and another with a broadcast network and a streaming service (Peacock). —Alex Sherman, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024

By the late 1990s, alas, broadcast networks, beset by cable offerings, began moving away from original movies. —Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024

Adjective

The show falls under the broadcast direct deal Hudson and his producing partner Stalberg signed with Fox in 2023. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 3 Oct. 2024

Fox is adding another veteran writer and producer to its roster of broadcast direct deals. —Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1744, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1758, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adjective

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1743, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing broadcast

• broadcast booth
• broadcast journalism
• direct broadcast satellite

Kids Definition

broadcast

1 of 4 adjective

broad·​cast ˈbrȯd-ˌkast 

1

: scattered in all directions

2

: made public by means of radio or television or by streaming over the Internet

broadcast

2 of 4 verb

broadcast also broadcasted; broadcasting

1

: to scatter or sow over a broad area

2

: to make widely known

a secret that I wouldn't want broadcast to the whole world

3

: to send out by radio or television

broadcaster noun

broadcast

3 of 4 adverb

: so as to spread far and wide

broadcast

4 of 4 noun

1

: the act of sending sound or images by radio or television or over the Internet

2

: a single radio or television program