propagation

/ˌprɒpəˈɡeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌprɑːpəˈɡeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌprä-pə-ˈgā-shən/ (ame, mw)

propagation — 名詞

1. the process of growing new plants from existing ones, for example by using seeds

1.名詞B2
釋義

繁殖

從母株培育新植株

the process of growing new plants from existing ones, for example by using seeds, cuttings, or other plant parts in a controlled way

例句

Gardeners use plant propagation to grow new roses from cuttings taken in early spring.

園藝家利用植物繁殖技術，從早春剪下的枝條培育新的玫瑰。

collocation: plant propagation / seed propagation

Ishaan learned about seed propagation during his first botany class at university.

Ishaan 在大學第一堂植物學課上學到了種子繁殖的知識。

同義詞
  • cultivation

    broader term that includes growing plants from seeds or bulbs, not necessarily from a parent plant

  • reproduction

    broader biological term for any organism producing offspring

文法句型

propagation of + noun

用法筆記

Most commonly used in gardening and horticulture contexts. The noun is uncountable, so it is not preceded by 'a' or used in the plural.

常見錯誤

❌The plant propagation are done in spring.
✅Plant propagation is done in spring.
💡'propagation' is uncountable and takes a singular verb.
❌I learned a propagation method for tomatoes.
✅I learned a method of propagation for tomatoes.
💡'propagation' itself is uncountable; use 'method of propagation' instead.

2. the natural process by which living things, such as animals or plants, produce y

2.名詞B2
釋義

繁衍

動植物自然生育後代

the natural process by which living things, such as animals or plants, produce young or increase their numbers

例句

The rapid propagation of insects in warm weather can damage crops across the region.

溫暖天氣下昆蟲的快速繁衍可能危害整個地區的作物。

collocation: propagation of [species]

Researchers studied the propagation patterns of wild rabbits in the Australian grasslands.

研究人員研究了澳洲草原上野生兔子的繁衍模式。

同義詞
  • reproduction

    more common everyday term for producing offspring

  • breeding

    focuses on mating and producing young, especially in animals

文法句型

propagation of + noun (species, organism)

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 refers to human-directed plant cultivation, while this sense describes natural reproduction in both plants and animals. Frequently used in scientific writing about population biology.

常見錯誤

❌The propagation of the rabbits is very fast in this area.
✅Rabbits propagate very fast in this area.
💡'propagation' as a noun is uncountable and formal; the verb 'propagate' sounds more natural in everyday descriptions of animal breeding.

3. the act of making information, ideas, or beliefs widely known to many people, of

3.名詞B2
釋義

傳播；散布

思想或資訊的廣泛散佈

the act of making information, ideas, or beliefs widely known to many people, often used when the content is harmful or misleading

例句

Social media allows the rapid propagation of news stories across the globe within hours.

社群媒體讓新聞報導在數小時內迅速傳播到全球各地。

collocation: rapid propagation of news

The government tried to stop the propagation of false claims about the recent election results.

政府試圖阻止關於近期選舉結果的虛假說法四處散布。

同義詞
  • dissemination

    more neutral and formal; often used for research, knowledge, or official information

  • circulation

    focuses on the movement of information within a network or group

  • spread

    more common and informal; works for both positive and negative content

反義詞
  • suppression

    the act of stopping information from becoming known

文法句型

propagation of + noun (idea, belief, information, rumour)

用法筆記

Often carries a mildly negative connotation, especially when describing the spread of false or damaging content. For neutral or positive spreading of information, 'dissemination' or 'distribution' are more common choices.

常見錯誤

❌The propagation of the virus was fast.
✅The spread of the virus was fast.
💡'propagation' is not the typical word for diseases; use 'spread' or 'transmission' in medical contexts.
❌Facebook helps the propagation of good news.
✅Facebook helps the spread of good news.
💡'propagation' sounds unnatural with positive content; use 'spread' or 'sharing' instead.

4. the movement of energy in the form of waves, such as light, sound, or motion, tr

4.名詞C1
釋義

傳播；傳導

波或能量在介質中傳遞

the movement of energy in the form of waves, such as light, sound, or motion, travelling through a substance or through space

例句

Sound propagation requires a physical medium such as air, water, or solid material.

聲音傳播需要空氣、水或固體材料等物理介質。

collocation: sound propagation

The speed of light propagation through glass is slower than through empty space.

光線穿過玻璃的傳播速度比穿過真空要慢。

同義詞
  • transmission

    more general term for sending signals or energy from one place to another

  • conduction

    specifically for heat or electricity moving through a material

文法句型

propagation of + noun (wave, light, sound, signal)

用法筆記

Technical term commonly used in physics, engineering, and telecommunications. Frequently modifies a specific wave type: sound propagation, light propagation, wave propagation, signal propagation.

常見錯誤

❌The propagation of light is very fast.
✅Light propagates at about 300,000 kilometres per second.
💡When stating a speed, the verb 'propagate' with a specific value sounds more natural than the noun form.