broadcast

The word “broadcast” means to transmit a program or message by radio, television, or similar means to a wide audience. In plain terms, to send out a radio, TV, or online program to a wide audience — or the program itself.

“Broadcast” is pronounced BRAWD-kahst (/ˈbɹɔːd(ˌ)kɑːst/ in IPA).

Here is “broadcast” used in a sentence: “The match was broadcast live around the world.”

Words with a similar meaning to “broadcast” include widespread.

Depending on how it is used, “broadcast” can be a verb and a noun.

The word “broadcast” dates back to around 1700. Originally an agricultural term from the 18th century meaning to scatter seed widely by hand; it was later adapted for radio and television transmission.

“Broadcast” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Broadcast” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to transmit a program or message by radio, television, or similar means to a wide audience.

Both send content to an audience, but the method differs. Broadcasting transmits the same signal to everyone at once over radio or television airwaves, on a fixed schedule. Streaming delivers content over the internet, often on demand, so each viewer can start and pause independently. Broadcasting is one-to-many and live; streaming is more personal.

The main forms are radio broadcasting, which sends audio, and television broadcasting, which sends audio and video. Broadcasts can be terrestrial over the air, delivered by cable, or relayed by satellite. Content may be live, such as news and sport, or pre-recorded and scheduled for a set time.

Yes. Broadcast also means to spread information widely to many people. You might broadcast news across a network, or someone might broadcast a rumour around the office. The core idea, transmitting a message to a wide audience, carries over from its media roots into everyday figurative use.