irradiate

verb ir·ra·di·ate \ i-ˈrā-dē-ˌāt \

Definition of irradiate

irradiated; irradiating

transitive verb

1 a :to cast rays of light upon :illuminate

b :to enlighten intellectually or spiritually

c :to affect or treat by radiant energy (such as heat); specifically :to treat by irradiation

2 :to emit like rays of light :radiate

irradiating strength and comfort

intransitive verb

archaic :to emit rays :shine

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irradiative

play \i-ˈrā-dē-ˌā-tiv\ adjective

—

irradiator

play \i-ˈrā-dē-ˌā-tər\ noun

See irradiate defined for English-language learners

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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 of irradiate from the Web

In the Smithsonian’s museum of Asian arts, conservation is a rarefied world of badger-hair brushes and irradiated silks, poultices and pastes, scalpels and solvents.

— victoria dawson, Smithsonian, "Conservation of a Pair of Saint-Gaudens Goes al Fresco at the Freer," 18 July 2017
The spices are not irradiated or treated with additives.

— florence fabricant, New York Times, "New Spice Company Sells Seasonings From the Source," 10 July 2017
To a genetically—celestially—engineered degree that could irradiate you.

— rosa inocencio smith, The Atlantic, "The Atlantic Daily: Health Care and Ransomware," 28 June 2017
Chilean youths and children deserve to know what this handful of detectives did to stop Nazism, which was irradiating its tentacles in almost the entire continent.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Documents Show Chile Foiled Nazi Plot to Attack Panama Canal," 27 June 2017
The tunnel contains a mixture of radioactive and chemical waste and irradiated equipment, including eight contaminated rail cars.

— nicholas k. geranios, The Seattle Times, "Hanford radiation alarm prompts order for workers to seek cover," 8 June 2017
The tunnel contains a mixture of radioactive and chemical waste and irradiated equipment, including eight contaminated rail cars.

— Washington Post, "Radiation alarm prompts order for workers to seek cover," 8 June 2017
To keep them from being contaminated with modern genetic material, the researchers soaked bones and teeth in hydrochloric acid, irradiated them with ultraviolet light, sand-blasted them, and powdered them in liquid nitrogen.

— lisa grossman, WIRED, "Skulls vs. DNA: Zeroing In on American Origins," 4 June 2009

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'irradiate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of irradiate

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1603

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irradiate Synonyms

Synonyms

bathe, beacon, emblaze, illume, illumine, illuminate, light, lighten

Antonyms

blacken, darken, obfuscate

Related Words

brighten; beam, beat (down), radiate, shine; enhalo, halo; floodlight; highlight, spotlight; blaze, burn, fire, flame, glare, glow, ignite, incinerate, kindle; bedazzle, blind, daze, dazzle; gleam, glisten, glitter

Near Antonyms

dim, dull, obscure; cover, shroud, veil; douse (also dowse), extinguish, put out, quench, snuff (out)

IRRADIATE Defined for English Language Learners

irradiate

verb

Definition of irradiate for English Language Learners

: to expose (someone or something) to radiation

IRRADIATE Defined for Kids

irradiate

verb ir·ra·di·ate \ i-ˈrā-dē-ˌāt \

Definition of irradiate for Students

irradiated; irradiating

1 :to cast rays of light on

2 :to treat by exposure to radiation (as X-rays)

Medical Dictionary

irradiate

transitive verb ir·ra·di·ate \ ir-ˈād-ē-ˌāt \

medical Definition of irradiate

irradiated; irradiating

:to affect or treat by radiant energy (as heat); specifically :to treat by exposure to radiation (as ultraviolet light or gamma rays)

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irradiative

irradiator

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Origin and Etymology of irradiate

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IRRADIATE Defined for English Language Learners

irradiate

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irradiate

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irradiate

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