irradiance
noun
ir·ra·di·ance
i-ˈrā-dē-ən(t)s 
1
2
: the density of radiation incident on a given surface usually expressed in watts per square centimeter or square meter
Examples of irradiance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Solar power works for missions close to the sun, but by the time a spacecraft gets to Jupiter, the available solar irradiance drops below 4 percent of that on Earth.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 25 Aug. 2025
Next comes site selection, which is more than just the availability of solar irradiance or wind speed.
—Yuvraj Kshirsagar, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The scientists focused on a particular type of irradiance — which includes both direct sunlight and sunlight scattered by the atmosphere — and which is most relevant to prevalent flat-plate photovoltaic systems.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
IEEE Spectrum, 25 Aug. 2025
Next comes site selection, which is more than just the availability of solar irradiance or wind speed.
—Yuvraj Kshirsagar, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The scientists focused on a particular type of irradiance — which includes both direct sunlight and sunlight scattered by the atmosphere — and which is most relevant to prevalent flat-plate photovoltaic systems.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irradiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irradiance. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
irradiance
noun
ir·ra·di·ance
ir-ˈād-ē-ən(t)s
: the density of radiation incident on a given surface usually expressed in watts per square centimeter or square meter
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share