(1) To transmit to every receiver within a geographic area. Over-the-air TV and AM and FM radio are examples of broadcast networks. Contrast with
narrowcast.
(2) To transmit to every node on a local network or subnetwork. Broadcasts are commonly used to announce that network resources are now turned on and available, to advertise services and to make requests for address resolution. See
broadcast address,
multicast,
broadcast traffic,
address resolution,
ARP,
SLP and
broadcast domain.