irradiate

verb

ir·​ra·​di·​ate i-ˈrā-dē-ˌāt How to pronounce irradiate (audio)
irradiated; irradiating

transitive verb

1
a
: to affect or treat by radiant energy (such as heat)
specifically : to treat by irradiation
b
: to cast rays of light upon : illuminate
c
: to enlighten intellectually or spiritually
2
: to emit like rays of light : radiate
irradiating strength and comfort

intransitive verb

archaic : to emit rays : shine
irradiative adjective
irradiator noun

Examples of irradiate in a Sentence

The food was irradiated to kill any germs. the light from a galaxy of flashing signs irradiates the heart and soul of Las Vegas
Recent Examples on the Web Clooney — face wrapped in a giant gray beard — plays Augustine, a scientist at an Arctic research station that's still standing after an unnamed global catastrophe leaves the Earth irradiated. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 25 Jan. 2024 Some of them will go to a distant observer, and some of them will fall into the disk, irradiate the disk, and then bounce off and reflect into the plane of the telescope. Michael Greshko, Quanta Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 These seeds would remain in the body either temporarily or permanently, with the goal of irradiating the area at a low dose over a long period of time. Behzad Ebrahimi, Discover Magazine, 5 Jan. 2024 Toho’s version of Frankenstein’s monster is a giant as a result of his heart being irradiated by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2023 Cancer cells overproduce certain kinds of proteins and amino acids fluoresce in the UV spectrum when irradiated. IEEE Spectrum, 24 Nov. 2023 But, given that Godzilla’s DNA is irradiated, the absorption instead turns them into a hulking monstrosity. Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2023 In Massachusetts, Indiana, New York, Philadelphia, the shadowy rows of seats, crumpled velvet curtains and decorative wall moldings are irradiated by a central focus that is not an image but a light so bright and uncontainable that its edges are smudged like a ghost. Emily Labarge, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023 The luminous kitchen, the heart of any Italian home, is flooded with midday Roman sunlight, irradiating Alessandro’s beautiful collection of Dutch Delft tiles and ancient wood-and-glass cabinets. Chiara Barzini, Vogue, 28 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'irradiate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin irradiatus, past participle of irradiare, from in- + radius ray

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of irradiate was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near irradiate

Cite this Entry

“Irradiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irradiate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

irradiate

verb
ir·​ra·​di·​ate ir-ˈād-ē-ˌāt How to pronounce irradiate (audio)
irradiated; irradiating
1
a
: to cast rays of light on : illuminate
b
: to affect or treat by exposure to radiation (as of ultraviolet light, X-rays, or gamma rays)
2
: to give off like rays of light : radiate
irradiation
-ˌād-ē-ˈā-shən
noun

Medical Definition

irradiate

transitive verb
ir·​ra·​di·​ate ir-ˈād-ē-ˌāt How to pronounce irradiate (audio)
irradiated; irradiating
: to affect or treat by radiant energy (as heat)
specifically : to treat by exposure to radiation (as ultraviolet light or gamma rays)

More from Merriam-Webster on irradiate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!