What does syndicated mean?
Syndicated means published or distributed through a syndicate: an organization or arrangement that supplies the same work to several newspapers, magazines, radio stations, or television outlets. The most common use describes material such as a syndicated column, article, cartoon, photograph, or television program. In this context, syndication allows one creator or news agency to reach a broad audience without submitting the work separately to every outlet. The term can also describe something organized or controlled by a syndicate, although this sense is less common and often has a formal or historical tone. Synonymous terms such as distributed and circulated are broad, while syndicated specifically identifies the arrangement through which content is supplied to multiple outlets. The word is especially familiar in journalism and broadcasting, where syndicated features and reruns supplement material produced locally by each station or publication.
To publish or distribute the same material through a syndicate to multiple publications or broadcast outlets.
"The news service syndicates investigative reports to regional newspapers."
Most often used in journalism, publishing, and broadcasting. The verb may be transitive or may be followed by by.
Published or distributed through a syndicate; also, less commonly, organized or controlled by a syndicate.
"The station airs a syndicated documentary every Thursday evening."
Common combinations include syndicated column, syndicated article, and syndicated programming.
A syndicated article can appear across hundreds of newspapers while retaining the byline of the person who wrote it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does syndicated come from?
Syndicated is the past tense, past participle, and adjectival form of syndicate. The word comes through Latin from Greek syndikos, associated with acting together or jointly, and originally referred to joint action or organization. In its modern English sense, syndicate developed from the idea of different outlets jointly carrying the same material.
Related word forms
How syndicated is actually used
The word most often describes material distributed for simultaneous publication or broadcast. Its rarer use for something owned or organized by a syndicate can sound formal or historical.