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

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
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.
Therefore, photons are emitted, which make the reactor core glow blue. Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025 Carbon is still emitted from the tailpipe of a car running on the fuel, but since pre-existing carbon was used to create the fuel in the first place, no more is being created or added to the environment, hence the claim of sustainability. Alistair Charlton, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 Oxygen can produce green or red, while nitrogen emits blue or purplish hues. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025 As a result, encouraging electric vehicle adoption is even better for the climate than many people expected because EV charging can actually cause lower-emitting power plants to be built. Jeremy J. Michalek, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for emit

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of emit was in 1598

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emit. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

emit

verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on emit

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!