1. (biology) multiply sexually or asexually
   "The bacteria propagated rapidly in the warm environment"
    
2. Cause to propagate, as by grafting or layering
   "The gardener propagated the rose bushes by taking cuttings"
    
3. Transmit or cause to broaden or spread
   "This great civilization was propagated throughout the land"
    
4. Become distributed or widespread
   "The rumour propagated quickly through the office";
   - spread
    
5. Transmit
   "propagate sound or light through air"
    
6. Transmit from one generation to the next
   "propagate these characteristics"
    
7. Cause to become widely known
   "propagate a rumour";
   - circulate, circularize, circularise [Brit], distribute, disseminate, broadcast, spread, diffuse, disperse, pass around

Derived forms: propagated, propagating, propagates

Type of: air, bare, channel, channelise [Brit], channelize, distribute, move, multiply, pass on, process, procreate, publicise [Brit], publicize, reproduce, spread, transfer, transmit, treat

Encyclopedia: Propagate