disseminated: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “disseminated” mean?
Scattered or spread widely, especially (of information, ideas, or materials) distributed over a wide area or among many people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Scattered or spread widely, especially (of information, ideas, or materials) distributed over a wide area or among many people.
Used in medicine to describe a disease, infection, or cancer that has spread from its original site to other parts of the body.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling follows standard national conventions for the root verb 'disseminate' (double 's', single 'm').
Connotations
Equally formal and technical in both varieties. Slight preference for 'disseminated' in medical contexts in the US.
Frequency
Comparably low frequency in both varieties, used in specific formal/technical domains.
Grammar
How to Use “disseminated” in a Sentence
SUBJECT + disseminated + OBJECT (e.g., The agency disseminated the report.)BE + disseminated + AMONG/THROUGHOUT/TO + RECIPIENT (e.g., The data was disseminated to all branches.)disseminated + as + NOUN PHRASE (e.g., disseminated as a pamphlet.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “disseminated” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The findings were disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal.
- The government department disseminated the advisory to local councils.
American English
- The agency disseminated the safety bulletin to all stations.
- Research was disseminated through conference presentations and online archives.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'disseminated' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A - 'disseminated' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- He was diagnosed with a rare form of disseminated cancer.
- The report's disseminated version lacked the confidential annexes.
American English
- The patient had disseminated fungal infection.
- We only work with the final, disseminated copy of the document.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to the distribution of reports, policies, or data across an organization: 'The new compliance guidelines were disseminated via the internal portal.'
Academic
Describing the spread of research, ideas, or knowledge: 'The professor's theories were widely disseminated through her influential papers.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used humorously or ironically for spreading gossip: 'That rumour was disseminated through the office in minutes.'
Technical
Common in medical/clinical contexts: 'The patient presented with disseminated tuberculosis affecting multiple organs.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “disseminated”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “disseminated”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disseminated”
- Misspelling: 'dissiminated' (wrong), 'diseminated' (wrong). Correct: 'disseminated'.
- Using it in overly casual contexts where 'spread' or 'shared' would be more natural.
- Confusing 'disseminated' (spread widely) with 'dissipated' (dispersed or wasted).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is primarily used in formal, academic, technical, and professional contexts. In everyday speech, words like 'spread', 'shared', or 'circulated' are more common.
They are often synonyms. 'Disseminated' often emphasizes the wide, broad, or systematic nature of the spreading, especially of intangible things like information. 'Distributed' can be more neutral and is also used for physical goods.
Yes, this is a very common and specific technical use. It describes a disease (e.g., cancer, infection) that has spread from its point of origin to multiple sites in the body, as in 'disseminated tuberculosis'.
The related noun is 'dissemination' (the act or process of disseminating). Example: 'The dissemination of knowledge is a core function of universities.'
Scattered or spread widely, especially (of information, ideas, or materials) distributed over a wide area or among many people.
Disseminated: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈsem.ɪ.neɪ.tɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˈsem.ə.neɪ.t̬ɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Seed was disseminated on the wind. (Literal, not idiomatic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of DISSEMINATED like SEEDS being SCATTERED (dis-seminated sounds like 'dis-seeds-inated'). Information or disease is 'seeded' far and wide.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION/DISEASE IS A SEED (that is sown/scattered). DISTRIBUTION IS SCATTERING.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'disseminated' most appropriately used?