propagate
verb
Did you know?
The origins of propagate are firmly rooted in the field of horticulture. The word is a 16th century Latin borrowing, ultimately from the verb propagare, which means "to set (onto a plant) a small shoot or twig cut for planting or grafting." The word's meaning quickly extended from the realm of the farm and field to less material kinds of reproduction, such as the spreading of ideas and beliefs. The similarity between propagate and propaganda is not coincidental; that word also comes to us from propagare, although it took a more circuitous route.
Examples of propagate in a Sentence
Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
This dynamic—in which a bee feeds on a flower’s nectar and gathers pollen to feed larvae, and also propagates pollen from flower to flower, enabling plant reproduction—was already well established.
—Max G. Levy, WIRED, 27 Oct. 2024
Sympodial orchids must be propagated by dividing them, not pruning or trimming them.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2024
Additionally, practicing good time management propagates self-discipline.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for propagate 
Dictionary Entries Near propagate
Cite this Entry
“Propagate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propagate. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
propagate
verb
Medical Definition
propagate
verb
Share