radiate

1 of 2

verb

ra·​di·​ate ˈrā-dē-ˌāt 

radiated; radiating

intransitive verb

1

: to proceed in a direct line from or toward a center

2

: to send out rays : shine brightly

3

a

: to issue in or as if in rays

b

: to evolve by adaptive radiation

transitive verb

1

: to send out in or as if in rays

2

: irradiate, illuminate

3

: to spread abroad or around as if from a center

radiate

2 of 2

adjective

ra·​di·​ate ˈrā-dē-ət  -ˌāt 

: having rays or radial parts: such as

a

: having ray flowers

b

: characterized by radial symmetry : radially symmetrical

radiately adverb

Synonyms of radiate

Verb

• emanate
• ray
• derive
• diverge
• flow
• stem
• branch

Examples of radiate in a Sentence

Verb

The pain was radiating down my arm.

The sun radiates heat and light.

Heat radiates from the sun.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The scenes radiate the joy of being young, attractive, and filled with infinite free time and minimal distractions except the open sky above you. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026

The love between Sophie and Liz radiates from their every interaction, even before the bad news hits. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

The first breathtaking photos of totality for the total solar eclipse 2026 are pouring in, revealing incredible views of the sun's atmosphere radiating out from behind the moon's colossal silhouette. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Observations of the Perseids go back more than 2,000 years, with meteors radiating from the constellation of Perseus. — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin radiatus, past participle of radiare, from radius ray

First Known Use

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Adjective

1668, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

radiate

verb

ra·​di·​ate

ˈrād-ē-ˌāt

radiated; radiating

1

: to proceed in a direct line from or toward a center

2

a

: to send out rays : shine

b

: to come forth in the form or as if in the form of rays

3

: to spread around from or as if from a center

Etymology

Verb

Latin radiare "to proceed from or toward a center," from radius "ray, beam, spoke" — related to radio, radius, ray entry 2

Medical Definition

radiate

1 of 2 verb

ra·​di·​ate ˈrād-ē-ˌāt 

radiated; radiating

intransitive verb

: to issue in or as if in rays : spread from a central point

back pain radiating to both upper legs

—Tony Miksanek

transitive verb

: irradiate

radiate

2 of 2 adjective

ra·​di·​ate ˈrād-ē-ət, -ē-ˌāt 

1

: having rays or radial parts

2

: characterized by radial symmetry : radially symmetrical