radial

1 of 2

adjective

ra·​di·​al ˈrā-dē-əl 

1

: arranged or having parts arranged like rays

2

a

: relating to, placed like, or moving along a radius

b

: characterized by divergence from a center

3

: of, relating to, or adjacent to a bodily radius

4

: developing uniformly around a central axis

radially

ˈrā-dē-ə-lē 

adverb

radial

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a radial part

b

: ray

2

: a body part (such as an artery) lying near or following the course of the radius

3

: a pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at approximately 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread

called also radial-ply tire, radial tire

Examples of radial in a Sentence

Adjective

the radial form of a starfish

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Meaning that most of the power from Dark Matter is produced with the axial flux aspect of the motor, with the radial part just chipping in a little extra. —New Atlas, 26 Apr. 2025

Transit methods give us a sense of the size of the planet, while radial velocity sets limits on the planet's mass. —John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025

Noun

Tires are naturally composite, particularly since the advent of radials, which Michelin patented in 1946 and started to produce commercially in 1951, helping the legendary Lancia Aurelia B20 to a class win at Le Mans. —James Morris, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025

All-weather radials and fine dining have little in common, after all. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 10 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Medieval Latin radialis, from Latin radius ray

First Known Use

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing radial

• radial cleavage
• radial engine
• radial keratotomy
• radial symmetry

Rhymes for radial

• estradiol
• oestradiol
• interradial

Kids Definition

radial

1 of 2 adjective

ra·​di·​al ˈrād-ē-əl 

1

: arranged or having parts arranged like rays around a common center

the radial form of a starfish

2

: relating to, placed like, or moving along a bodily radius (as the bone of the forearm)

radially

-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

radial

2 of 2 noun

1

: a radial part

2

: a tire in which the ply cords are at right angles to the centerline of the tread

called also radial tire

Medical Definition

radial

1 of 2 adjective

ra·​di·​al ˈrād-ē-əl 

1

: arranged or having parts arranged like rays

2

: of, relating to, or situated near the radius or the thumb side of the hand or forearm

the radial aspect of the hand

3

: developing uniformly around a central axis

radial cleavage of an egg

radially

-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

radial

2 of 2 noun

: a body part (as an artery) lying near or following the course of the radius