irradiate
verb
ir·ra·di·ate
i-ˈrā-dē-ˌāt 
irradiated; irradiating
1
a
: to affect or treat by radiant energy (such as heat)
specifically
: to treat by irradiation
b
: to cast rays of light upon : illuminate
c
: to enlighten intellectually or spiritually
2
: to emit like rays of light : radiate
irradiating strength and comfort
archaic
: to emit rays : shine
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 on the Web
The oldest dates back to 1970 and holds big, gnarly trees grown from 100 percent American irradiated nuts grafted onto Chinese rootstock.
—
Eric J. Wallace, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
After decades of technological and scientific advancements, irradiating food is now a common practice around the world.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Aug. 2025
Experts agree that nuclear deterrence is not a pure numbers game (all sides would soon just be irradiating rubble).
—Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 17 Aug. 2025
Fractal models had been used on graphite samples before, but not irradiated ones.
—Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irradiate
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Eric J. Wallace, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
After decades of technological and scientific advancements, irradiating food is now a common practice around the world.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Aug. 2025
Experts agree that nuclear deterrence is not a pure numbers game (all sides would soon just be irradiating rubble).
—Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 17 Aug. 2025
Fractal models had been used on graphite samples before, but not irradiated ones.
—Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irradiate
Cite this Entry
“Irradiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irradiate. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
irradiate
verb
ir·ra·di·ate
ir-ˈād-ē-ˌāt
irradiated; irradiating
1
a
: to cast rays of light on : illuminate
b
: to affect or treat by exposure to radiation (as of ultraviolet light, X-rays, or gamma rays)
2
: to give off like rays of light : radiate
irradiation
noun
-ˌād-ē-ˈā-shən
Medical Definition
irradiate
transitive verb
ir·ra·di·ate
ir-ˈād-ē-ˌāt
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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