irradiate

verb

ir·​ra·​di·​ate i-ˈrā-dē-ˌāt How to pronounce irradiate (audio)
irradiated; irradiating

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

archaic : to emit rays : shine
irradiative adjective
irradiator noun

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 Then, they’re irradiated with high-energy electrons to create what’s known as a nitrogen-vacancy defect, which can be used to hold quantum information. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2024 Those loops disappear by irradiating gravitational waves. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 June 2023 Scarred by the horrors of the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe—which irradiated sizable areas of Belarus, Ukraine, and other European countries—the Ukrainians initially seemed inclined to go along with U.S. and Russian plans for Ukraine’s denuclearization. Serhii Plokhy, Foreign Affairs, 22 Nov. 2019 Spacecraft must deal with wild swings in temperature, depending on which parts of the vehicle are facing the sun, and they’re often bombarded with cosmic rays — irradiated particles streaming from the sun or deep space that can easily fry electronics that aren’t well protected. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for irradiate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'irradiate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of irradiate was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near irradiate

Cite this Entry

“Irradiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irradiate. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

irradiate

verb
ir·​ra·​di·​ate ir-ˈād-ē-ˌāt How to pronounce irradiate (audio)
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
-ˌād-ē-ˈā-shən
noun

Medical Definition

irradiate

transitive verb
ir·​ra·​di·​ate ir-ˈād-ē-ˌāt How to pronounce irradiate (audio)
irradiated; irradiating
: to affect or treat by radiant energy (as heat)
specifically : to treat by exposure to radiation (as ultraviolet light or gamma rays)

More from Merriam-Webster on irradiate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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