emit

verb

ē-ˈmit 

emitted; emitting

transitive verb

1

a

: to throw or give off or out

emit light/heat

b

: to send out : eject

2

a

: to issue with authority

especially : to put (something, such as money) into circulation

b

obsolete : publish

3

: to give utterance or voice to

emitted a groan

emitter noun

Synonyms

• cast
• discharge
• emanate
• evolve
• exhale
• expel
• expire [archaic]
• give out
• irradiate
• issue
• radiate
• release
• send (out)
• shoot
• throw out
• vent

Examples of emit in a Sentence

The telescope can detect light emitted by distant galaxies.

chimneys emitting thick, black smoke

The brakes emitted a loud squeal.

Recent Examples on the Web

Solar flares emit radiation, mostly in the form of ultraviolet light and X-rays, that can hurtle toward Earth at the speed of light. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 June 2025

This is significant, as China emits more carbon dioxide than any other country. —Hersh Shefrin, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

That’s 13,000 tons of food that would have otherwise gone to landfills, rotting and emitting 31,000 tons of CO2 emissions into our overheated atmosphere. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025

This device emits radiation that damages the cells of microorganisms like bacteria and mold—keeping the coil and interior components clean. —Matt Fuchs, Time, 12 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin emittere to send out, from e- + mittere to send

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing emit

• re-emit

Rhymes for emit

• acquit
• admit
• amrit
• armpit
• backlit
• befit
• cockpit
• commit
• dalit
• dendrite
• illite
• misfit

Kids Definition

emit

verb

ē-ˈmit 

emitted; emitting

1

a

: to throw or give off or out

emit light

b

: to send out : eject

2

: utter entry 2 sense 1

emit a groan

Etymology

from Latin emittere "to send out," from e-, ex- "out, forth" and mittere "to send, throw" — related to dismiss, message, missile, transmit