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 of emit

• radiate
• cast
• emanate
• release

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

On top of spewing nitrogen dioxide, a gas that causes irreversible respiratory damage over time, the turbines emit a horrendous sound that’s made life miserable for locals. —Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 16 Apr. 2026

Scientists with the Environmental Defense Fund said in a 2019 study that hydropower plants and reservoirs can emit substantial greenhouse gases, but their depth and design, the amount of submerged vegetation, and local climate influence how much. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026

Energy-intensive industries like chemicals also have to pay for emitting carbon. —Marilen Martin, Bloomberg, 15 Apr. 2026

Until now, physicists thought the best way to do that was to look for the very faint flashes of light that excited nuclei usually emit. —Andrei Derevianko, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026

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