syndicate
SIN-di-kut
/ˈsɪn.dɪ.kət/
An agency or association that sells articles, comic strips, or columns to multiple newspapers or media outlets simultaneously.
Emphasizes licensing content across multiple independent publications rather than single-source publishing.
The story behind the word. The word stems from French 'syndicat', derived from Greek roots meaning 'one who represents a group in court'. In 19th-century publishing, business entrepreneurs formed syndicates to purchase high-profile fiction or journalism and distribute the publishing rights to regional newspapers that could not afford exclusive content on their own.
Word relationships
- agency: An agency can represent individuals or distribute news generally, while a syndicate specifically licenses and sells creative works to multiple outlets.
Commonly confused with
- consortium: A consortium is an association of organizations working on a joint project, while a syndicate distributes content or assets to varied clients.
Word family
- syndication (noun): the licensing or distribution of content to multiple outlets
- syndicated (adjective): distributed via a syndicate
Collocations
- news syndicate
- syndicate content
- press syndicate
- syndicated column
Example sentences
- "The popular political columnist signed a deal with a global syndicate, making her articles available in hundreds of daily papers." Media licensing
- "Famous comics like Peanuts achieved national fame because a news syndicate distributed them to papers across the country." Newspaper comic history
Memory hook
SYN (together) + DICate (speak) = speaking or distributing together across many channels. License one story to many papers.
When not to use
Do not use for local news outlets that create and publish content exclusively for their own paper.
Fun facts
- Comic strips like 'Calvin and Hobbes' or 'Garfield' earned millions through syndication fees paid by thousands of distinct daily newspapers.
Related words
Explore more words
syndicated, syndication, simulcast, disseminate, columnist, consortium
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