propaganda

[prop-uh-gan-duh]

noun

1. information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.

2. the deliberate spreading of such information, rumors, etc.

3. the particular doctrines or principles propagated by an organization or movement.

4. Roman Catholic Church.

   1. a committee of cardinals, established in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV, having supervision over foreign missions and the training of priests for these missions.

   2. a school College of Propaganda established by Pope Urban VIII for the education of priests for foreign missions.

5. Archaic.,  an organization or movement for the spreading of propaganda.

Propaganda

¹

/ ˌprɒpəˈɡændə /

noun

1. RC Church a congregation responsible for directing the work of the foreign missions and the training of priests for these

propaganda

²

/ ˌprɒpəˈɡændə /

noun

1. the organized dissemination of information, allegations, etc, to assist or damage the cause of a government, movement, etc

2. such information, allegations, etc

propaganda

1. Official government communications to the public that are designed to influence opinion. The information may be true or false, but it is always carefully selected for its political effect.

Other Word Forms

• propagandism noun
• propagandist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of propaganda¹

First recorded in 1710–20; from New Latin, short for congregātiō dē propāgandā fidē “congregation for propagating the faith”; propāgandā, ablative singular feminine gerundive of propāgāre; propagate

Word History and Origins

Origin of propaganda¹

C18: from Italian, use of propāgandā in the New Latin title Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide Sacred Congregation for Propagating the Faith

Example Sentences

But one might also argue that the title will be cited to confirm the view—and thus bolster our adversaries’ propaganda—that the United States is a militaristic nation hell-bent on inflaming the planet in war.

From Slate

Earlier videos of hostages released by their captors in Gaza have been condemned by world leaders and families as propaganda.

From BBC

"No evil propaganda video will weaken us or divert us from our determination to achieve these goals," the statement said.

From BBC

But this isn’t wokoso propaganda — it’s well-documented history.

From Los Angeles Times

U.S. prosecutors have accused Maduro of being a cartel leader, a charge dismissed as propaganda by the Venezuelan leader.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disinformation 
• hype 
• indoctrination 
• publicity