1breed specimens of (a plant or animal) by natural processes from the parent stock:try propagating your own houseplants from cuttings
[no object] (of a plant or animal) reproduce by natural processes:the plant propagates freely from stem cuttings
2spread and promote (an idea, theory, etc.) widely:the French propagated the idea that the English were drunkards
3 [with adverbial of direction] (with reference to motion, light, sound, etc.) transmit or be transmitted in a particular direction or through a medium: [with object]:electromagnetic effects can be propagated at a finite velocity only through material substances
