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Definition of propagation - 7 dictionary results

prop⋅a⋅ga⋅tion

  [prop-uh-gey-shuhn]
Use propagation in a Sentence
–noun
1. the act of propagating.
2. the fact of being propagated.
3. multiplication by natural reproduction.
4. transmission or dissemination.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME propagacyon < L propāgātiōn- (s. of propāgātiō). See propagate, -ion

Related forms:
prop⋅a⋅ga⋅tion⋅al, adjective

Synonyms:
4. spreading, dispersion, diffusion.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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prop·a·ga·tion   (prŏp'ə-gā'shən)   
n.  
  1. Multiplication or increase, as by natural reproduction.
  2. The process of spreading to a larger area or greater number; dissemination.
  3. Physics The act or process of propagating, especially the process by which a disturbance, such as the motion of electromagnetic or sound waves, is transmitted through a medium such as air or water.
prop'a·ga'tion·al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Propagation

Prop`a*ga"tion\, n. [L. propagatio: cf. F. propagation.]

1. The act of propagating; continuance or multiplication of the kind by generation or successive production; as, the propagation of animals or plants.

There is not in nature any spontaneous generation, but all come by propagation. --Ray.

2. The spreading abroad, or extension, of anything; diffusion; dissemination; as, the propagation of sound; the propagation of the gospel. --Bacon.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : propagation
Italian: diffusione,
German: die Verbreitung,
Japanese: 広まり
More Translations »

propagation 
c.1440, from O.Fr. propagacion (13c.), from L. propagationem (nom. propagatio) "a propagation, extension," noun of action from propagare "multiply plants by layers, breed," from propago (gen. propaginis) "that which propagates, offspring," from pro- "forth" + *pag-, root of pangere "to fasten" (see pact). Verb propagate is recorded from 1570.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: prop·a·ga·tion
Pronunciation: "präp-&-'gA-sh&n
Function: noun
: the act or action of propagating: as a : increase (as of a kind of organism) in numbers <propagation of a pure culture of bacteria> b : the spreading or transmission of something <propagationof a nerve impulse>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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propagation prop·a·ga·tion (prŏp'ə-gā'shən)
n.

  1. Multiplication or increase, as by natural reproduction.
  2. The act or process of propagating, especially the process by which an impulse is transmitted along a nerve fiber.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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propagation

in horticulture, the reproduction of plants by any number of natural or artificial means

Learn more about propagation with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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