webcast: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal; common in business, tech, and media contexts.
Quick answer
What does “webcast” mean?
A live or pre-recorded video broadcast distributed over the internet.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A live or pre-recorded video broadcast distributed over the internet.
As a verb: to transmit a live or pre-recorded video broadcast over the internet. Can refer to the event itself or the process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. Slightly more technical/formal than 'live stream' in everyday contexts.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties. 'Live stream' is a more frequent near-synonym in informal contexts globally.
Grammar
How to Use “webcast” in a Sentence
to webcast [something]to webcast [something] to [an audience]to webcast live[something] is webcast/webcastedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “webcast” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The university will webcast the graduation ceremony to families abroad.
- The CEO webcast the strategy update from the London office.
American English
- The church webcasts its Sunday service every week.
- They webcast the product launch live from Silicon Valley.
adjective
British English
- We need to check the webcast link before the event.
- The webcast quality was remarkably good.
American English
- Please submit your questions via the webcast chat.
- The webcast platform experienced some downtime.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for shareholder meetings, product launches, and internal company announcements distributed online.
Academic
Used for online lectures, conference presentations, and research seminars accessible remotely.
Everyday
Used for watching a live concert, a gaming session, or a fitness class online.
Technical
Refers to the specific technology and infrastructure for delivering live video over HTTP or specialised protocols.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “webcast”
- Using 'webcast' for a simple recorded video upload (e.g., a YouTube video) rather than an event-based broadcast. Incorrect past tense: 'webcasted' is acceptable but less common than 'webcast' (which is unchanged).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while often live, a webcast can also be a pre-recorded video distributed as a scheduled online broadcast event. However, a simple on-demand video is not typically called a webcast.
Both 'webcast' and 'webcasted' are used. 'Webcast' (unchanged) is more common, similar to 'broadcast'.
A webcast is primarily video (though can be audio) and is often event-based or live. A podcast is primarily an audio series, released episodically and usually consumed on-demand.
It is neutral. In formal business/tech contexts, it is standard. In informal conversation, people often use 'live stream' or simply 'stream'.
A live or pre-recorded video broadcast distributed over the internet.
Webcast: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɛbkɑːst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɛbkæst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[To be] on the webcast”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a spider's WEB catching a live TV BROADCAST and putting it on the internet.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTERNET IS A TRANSMISSION MEDIUM (like television or radio).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely context for a 'webcast'?