radiate

verb ra·di·ate \ ˈrā-dē-ˌāt \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of radiate

radiated; radiating

intransitive verb

1 : to proceed in a direct line from or toward a center

2 : to send out rays : shine brightly

3 a : to issue in or as if in rays

b : to evolve by adaptive radiation

transitive verb

1 : to send out in or as if in rays

2 : irradiate, illuminate

3 : to spread abroad or around as if from a center

See radiate defined for English-language learners

See radiate defined for kids

Examples of radiate in a Sentence

The pain was radiating down my arm.
The sun radiates heat and light.
Heat radiates from the sun.

Recent Examples of radiate from the Web

Alexander Mrazek radiates goodness as David, the outsider among the family.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Thoughtful 'Luckiest People' makes the everyday compelling," 31 Mar. 2018
This kind of pain can be sharp and stabbing, dull and achy, or even radiate into other parts of your body.

— nina bahadur, SELF, "6 Things That Could Be Causing Your Lower Back Pain, Based on How It Feels," 28 Mar. 2018
Therefore, the hole would radiate away some of its energy.

— thomas h. maugh ii, latimes.com, "Stephen Hawking, who redefined the view of the universe for scientists and public alike, dies at 76," 14 Mar. 2018
The branch of a mature tree can radiate 20 to 50 feet.

— anthony r. wood, Philly.com, "Storm aftermath: Why so many trees came down," 5 Mar. 2018
Its dense firebrick floor draws and holds the fire’s heat; the insulated crown stores heat overhead, balancing the thermal mass and radiating heat downward.

— janet fletcher, San Francisco Chronicle, "Why not wood-fire all your meals?," 17 Jan. 2018
Their parents' gratitude and relief radiated through the children's tent.

— alexandra wynne, Harper's BAZAAR, "Brave Model Shares Her Diary From Refugee Camps Across Europe," 19 Dec. 2016
Each line is suspended about twelve inches off the ground and radiates outward from The Rock.

— ben huberman, Longreads, "Walking the Line in the Bekaa Valley," 17 Mar. 2018
His bedazzled fame began in 1979 when Murphy noticed the pride radiating from volunteers wearing their badges.

— andrea rumbaugh, Houston Chronicle, "Sparkly-yet-rugged fixture at the Houston rodeo," 14 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of radiate

Latin radiatus, past participle of radiare, from radius ray

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1619

See Words from the same year

radiate Synonyms

radiate

adjective ra·di·ate \ ˈrā-dē-ət , -ˌāt \

Definition of radiate

: having rays or radial parts: such as

a : having ray flowers

b : characterized by radial symmetry : radially symmetrical

—

radiately

adverb

First Known Use of radiate

1668

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

RADIATE Defined for English Language Learners

radiate

verb

Definition of radiate for English Language Learners

: to go out in a direct line from a central point or area
: to move in a specified direction from a source
: to send out (something, such as heat or energy) in rays

RADIATE Defined for Kids

radiate

verb ra·di·ate \ ˈrā-dē-ˌāt \

Definition of radiate for Students

radiated; radiating

1 : to send out rays : shine The sun was radiating in the sky.

2 : to come forth in the form of rays

Light radiates from shining bodies.

3 : to go out in a direct line from a center

Spokes radiate from the center of the wheel.

4 : to spread around from or as if from a center

Word radiated that Royce McNabb had sent Ina-Rae Gage a valentine.
—Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder

5 : to show very clearly

She radiates confidence.

Medical Dictionary

radiate

verb ra·di·ate \ ˈrād-ē-ˌāt \

medical Definition of radiate

radiated; radiating

intransitive verb

: to issue in or as if in rays : spread from a central point

back pain radiating to both upper legs
—Tony Miksanek

transitive verb

: irradiate

radiate

adjective ra·di·ate \ ˈrād-ē-ət, -ē-ˌāt \

medical Definition of radiate

1 : having rays or radial parts

2 : characterized by radial symmetry : radially symmetrical

Learn More about radiate

See words that rhyme with radiate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for radiate Spanish Central: Translation of radiate Nglish: Translation of radiate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of radiate for Arabic speakers

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radiate

Definition of radiate

Examples of radiate in a Sentence

Recent Examples of radiate from the Web

Origin and Etymology of radiate

radiate Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Related Words

radiate

Definition of radiate

radiately

First Known Use of radiate

Other Biology Terms

RADIATE Defined for English Language Learners

radiate

Definition of radiate for English Language Learners

RADIATE Defined for Kids

radiate

Definition of radiate for Students

Medical Dictionary

radiate

medical Definition of radiate

radiate

medical Definition of radiate

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