What does vodcast mean?
A vodcast is a podcast delivered in video form: an on-demand or scheduled online program that combines spoken commentary with moving or on-screen images. The term is most often used for educational commentary, news updates, interviews, and other episodic digital media, although it can describe any video podcast. As a noun, a vodcast names the program or a single episode; as a verb, "to vodcast" means to publish or distribute material in that format. Unlike a conventional podcast, which may be heard without watching, a vodcast relies on the visual track, so access, captions, and file size can affect its audience. The word is common in technology and online-media discussion and is generally more specific than the broader terms webcast or videocast. It is especially useful when the important distinction is not merely digital distribution but the podcast-like combination of recurring episodes, spoken presentation, and video. Although people may use "vodcast" and "videocast" interchangeably, a vodcast is normally understood to retain the structure or identity of a podcast.
A video podcast, especially an episodic online program featuring spoken commentary and visual material.
"The conference organisers released a vodcast featuring the opening keynote."
Often countable, with "vodcasts" as the plural.
To publish or distribute content as a video podcast.
"The network will vodcast the panel discussion live from the conference."
Used mainly in online-media and technology contexts.
Used when referring to multiple video podcasts, programs, or episodes.
"The archive contains hundreds of vodcasts on science and technology."
A vodcast is essentially a podcast with pictures: the name compresses "video podcast" into a single compact term.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vodcast
Vodcast is an English blend of "video" and "podcast" that emerged in the early 21st century as online video distribution became widespread. "Video" derives from Latin videre, meaning "to see," while the "-cast" element comes through the established English compound pattern seen in broadcast and telecast. The word follows the naming pattern of podcast but substitutes a visual medium for an audio-oriented one.
Related word forms
How vodcast is actually used
The word belongs mainly to internet, technology, and digital-media discourse rather than formal editorial prose. It is usually countable, with "vodcasts" as the plural, and its use may imply a series or a recurring program rather than an isolated video upload.
Easily confused with vodcast
A podcast is distributed primarily as audio, whereas a vodcast uses video as its primary medium.
A vodcast specifically retains the episodic or podcast-style format, while a videocast can refer more broadly to any video broadcast.