What does webcast mean?
A webcast is an audio or video broadcast delivered through the internet. As a noun, it names the broadcast itself: a news organization might announce that it will provide a webcast of an election result, while an educational institution might advertise a webcast of a lecture. As a verb, webcast means to transmit material in this format, as in “webcast the ceremony.” The term is especially associated with live events, including press conferences, sports, business presentations, performances, and academic discussions. Webcasts may be free, accessible only to registered users, or available on demand after the event. Unlike a traditional radio or television broadcast, a webcast relies on internet delivery and can therefore reach viewers across different devices and locations. The word is familiar in British and American English, although “livestream” is often preferred when the emphasis is specifically on real-time delivery. In general contexts, webcast suggests direct online transmission rather than the production of a complete broadcast programme.
A live or recorded audio or video broadcast transmitted over the internet.
"Thousands watched the webcast to hear the announcement."
The word is often used for broadcasts of news, sports, business, educational, or cultural events.
To broadcast audio, video, or an event over the internet.
"The station will webcast the interview from New York."
The verb may be transitive or used intransitively, particularly in the expression “webcast live.”
The regular plural is used for individual internet broadcasts, especially separately scheduled or identifiable events.
"Recordings of the webcasts remain available on the organization's website."
A webcast turns a single stage into a worldwide audience with nothing more than a camera, a connection, and a link.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of webcast
The word emerged in the late twentieth century as internet technology made online broadcasting possible. It combines “web,” in its usual sense of the World Wide Web, with “cast,” taken from the established term “broadcast.” The same compound-forming pattern produced related terms such as “telecast,” “multicast,” and “unicast,” while “podcast” was independently coined with the unrelated word “pod.”
Related word forms
How webcast is actually used
As a noun, webcast is countable and commonly refers to a live broadcast, although recorded webcasts are also possible. As a verb, it is usually transitive, as in “webcast a match,” but it can also be used intransitively, as in “webcast live from London.”
Easily confused with webcast
A broadcast may use radio, television, satellite, or internet technology, whereas a webcast specifically uses the web.
A podcast is typically a downloadable or on-demand audio program, while a webcast may be live and can include video as well as audio.