Word: disseminate (verb)

Associations

The word "disseminate" means to spread or share information, ideas, or something else widely so many people can know about it.

• Example 1: The teacher disseminated the homework instructions to all students. (The teacher shared the instructions with everyone.)
• Example 2: Scientists disseminate their research findings through journals and conferences. (They spread their discoveries to many people.)
• Example 3: The government disseminated warnings about the storm to keep people safe. (They shared important news widely.) A similar word is "spread." The difference is that "disseminate" is often used for information or ideas and sounds more formal or careful. "Spread" is more general and can be used for things like news, diseases, or even physical objects.

Substitution

You can also say:

• share (less formal, more everyday use)
• distribute (focuses more on giving out physical things or copies)
• broadcast (used especially for information sent by radio, TV, or internet) Changing the word changes the tone or focus. For example, "broadcast" feels like a big public announcement, while "share" is more casual.

Deconstruction

• Root: "semin-" comes from Latin "seminare," meaning "to sow seeds."
• Prefix: "dis-" means "apart" or "widely."
• Suffix: "-ate" turns the root into a verb. So, "disseminate" literally means "to sow seeds widely," like planting seeds over a large area. This helps us remember it means to spread information widely.

Inquiry

• What kinds of information do you think should be disseminated quickly and widely?
• Can you think of a time when you disseminated news or information to others? How did you do it?
• How is disseminating information important in schools, workplaces, or communities?