webcasting: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to Neutral; Technical.
Quick answer
What does “webcasting” mean?
The act of broadcasting live or pre-recorded audio or video content over the internet to a distributed audience.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of broadcasting live or pre-recorded audio or video content over the internet to a distributed audience.
Can refer to the technology, industry, or practice of delivering media via the web, often with an interactive or on-demand component.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling remains consistent. The concept is universally understood.
Connotations
Slightly more technical connotation in everyday UK English; in US English, it's common in business/tech contexts.
Frequency
Equally frequent in professional and tech contexts in both varieties. The verb 'to webcast' is perhaps more common than the gerund/noun in general usage.
Grammar
How to Use “webcasting” in a Sentence
[subject] is webcasting [event][platform] provides webcasting of [content]to engage in webcastingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “webcasting” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The university will webcast the graduation ceremony for families abroad.
- We've been webcasting the weekly tutorial since last term.
American English
- The company webcasts its quarterly earnings call to all investors.
- They plan to webcast the concert live from the stadium.
adverb
British English
- The event was broadcast webcastingly to forty countries.
- Rarely used as an adverb.
American English
- Rarely used as an adverb.
- The session was delivered webcastingly via the portal.
adjective
British English
- They hired a professional webcasting team for the launch.
- The webcasting software needs a stable connection.
American English
- We need a reliable webcasting solution for the seminar.
- Their webcasting capabilities are state-of-the-art.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for shareholder meetings, internal announcements, and product launches distributed to remote employees.
Academic
Refers to the live streaming of lectures, conferences, or symposiums to a remote audience.
Everyday
Less common; might refer to watching a live concert or sports event online.
Technical
Involves specifics of protocols (e.g., RTMP, HLS), encoding, content delivery networks (CDNs), and viewer analytics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “webcasting”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “webcasting”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “webcasting”
- Misspelling as 'webcasting' (one b).
- Using it interchangeably with 'videoconferencing' (which is interactive and multi-point).
- Incorrect verb form: 'They are webcastING the event' (correct) vs. 'They webcasted the event' (less common but acceptable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very similar and often used interchangeably. 'Webcasting' often emphasises the live, broadcast-like nature and one-to-many model, while 'streaming' is a broader term for any real-time delivery of media over the internet (including on-demand).
Webcasting is typically live (or simulated live) video or audio broadcast. Podcasting refers to pre-recorded, serialised audio (or video) content that users download or stream on-demand, often via an RSS feed.
Yes, both 'webcast' and 'webcasted' are used, though 'webcast' (unchanged) is more common (similar to 'cast' and 'broadcast'). Example: 'They webcast the event yesterday.'
At a minimum: a reliable internet connection, a camera, a microphone, and encoding software or a service platform (like YouTube Live, Vimeo Livestream, or dedicated enterprise software).
The act of broadcasting live or pre-recorded audio or video content over the internet to a distributed audience.
Webcasting is usually formal to neutral; technical. in register.
Webcasting: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɛbˌkɑːstɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɛbˌkæstɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a spider's WEB sending out a broadcast (CASTING) its silk in all directions; a webcast sends video/audio out across the internet.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE INTERNET IS A DISTRIBUTION NETWORK (like TV/radio airwaves).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MOST accurate description of 'webcasting'?