What is broadcast? Pronunciation and usage in English

broadcast means . Learn how to pronounce and use broadcast through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of broadcast

broadcastverb

/ˈbrɔːdkɑːst/
Definition & pronunciation of broadcast

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "broadcast." It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /brəˈkæst/

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  • brə: This is like "bruh" but shorter and with a very subtle 'uh' sound – almost like you're quickly dropping your jaw slightly. It's a schwa sound (ə), which is a very common, relaxed vowel sound in English. Think of "about" or "sofa."
  • ˈkæst: This is where it gets a bit trickier.
    • 'kæ: This is the "ka" sound, as in "cat." Make sure you pronounce it clearly.
    • st: This is a standard "st" sound, like in "stop."

Putting it together, you’d say it like: "bruh-kast" (with the subtle 'uh' in the first syllable).

Here are some helpful tips:

  • Stress: The stress is on the second syllable ("kast"). This is why the 'ˈ' symbol is used in the pronunciation guide.
  • Don’t overemphasize the “broadcast” sound: It's not a strong, individual syllable. It flows smoothly.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken. Here are some resources:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using "broadcast"?

Usage and examples with the word broadcast in English

Let's break down how to use the word "broadcast" in English. It has a few different meanings and uses, so it's helpful to understand them:

1. As a Verb (Most Common Usage): To transmit a signal widely

  • Meaning: To send something (like radio waves, television signals, or data) to many people at the same time.
  • Examples:
    • "The news network will broadcast the game live." (Sending the game's video and audio to many viewers.)
    • "The station broadcast a message about the upcoming storm." (Sending a warning signal.)
    • "They broadcast their music on the internet." (Streaming their music to listeners.)
    • "Scientists are broadcasting signals into space hoping to find extraterrestrial life."

2. As a Noun: The act of broadcasting; the transmission itself

  • Meaning: The process of sending something out widely.
  • Examples:
    • "The broadcast was interrupted by a technical glitch." (The act of transmitting was disrupted.)
    • "He listened to the morning broadcast while he made coffee." (He was listening to the transmission.)
    • "The network's broadcast schedule is available on their website." (Referring to the plan of what they will transmit.)

3. More Informal Usage (Less Common, but Important): To widely announce or share information

  • Meaning: To publicly share something, often quickly and widely, like a rumour or an opinion.
  • Examples:
    • “She broadcast her disappointment after losing the competition.” (She made her feelings known widely.)
    • "Don't broadcast your problems to everyone; talk to a trusted friend." (Don't publicly share your worries.)

Key Phrases & Related Words:

  • Live broadcast: A broadcast that is transmitted in real-time.
  • Radio broadcast: A broadcast transmitted over radio waves.
  • Television broadcast: A broadcast transmitted over television signals.
  • Internet broadcast/Streaming: A broadcast transmitted over the internet.
  • Broadcast news: News reports delivered via television or radio.

Tips for Using "Broadcast" Correctly:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning of "broadcast" is being used.
  • Formal vs. Informal: The more formal meaning (transmission) is used in news and professional contexts. The informal meaning (sharing widely) is common in everyday conversation.

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain a specific usage of "broadcast" in more detail (like "broadcast news")?
  • Help you write a sentence using "broadcast"?

Synonyms for the word broadcast

Practice with vocabulary broadcast

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The news station will ________ the live event tomorrow evening.
  2. She decided to ________ her message on social media to reach a wider audience.
  3. The radio station announced they would __________ the concert, but they ended up recording it instead.
  4. He used a megaphone to ___________ his ideas to the crowd.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following is a method to share information widely?
    a) broadcast
    b) whisper
    c) write
    d) ignore

  2. What word best fits in the sentence: "The company will ________ the new product launch online"?
    a) broadcast
    b) conceal
    c) announce
    d) reveal

  3. Which verb means to transmit a program or message to a large audience?
    a) broadcast
    b) communicate
    c) discuss
    d) listen

  4. Which of these words is NOT related to sharing information publicly?
    a) publish
    b) broadcast
    c) hide
    d) stream

  5. What is a synonym for "transmit" in the context of media?
    a) broadcast
    b) delete
    c) cancel
    d) obscure

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The channel aired the documentary last night.
    Rewrite: The channel ________ the documentary last night.

  2. She announced the news to everyone in the room.
    Rewrite: She ________ the news to everyone in the room.

  3. The manager disseminated the updates to the entire team.
    Rewrite: The manager ________ the updates to the entire team.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. broadcast
  2. broadcast
  3. stream
  4. project

Exercise 2:

  1. a) broadcast
  2. a) broadcast
  3. a) broadcast
  4. c) hide
  5. a) broadcast

Exercise 3:

  1. The channel broadcast the documentary last night.
  2. She broadcast the news to everyone in the room.
  3. The manager shared the updates to the entire team.

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