radiate

verb ra·di·ate \ ˈrā-dē-ˌāt \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Examples: radiate in a Sentence

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

TECs work by using an electrical charge to create a Peltier effect, which can radiate or absorb heat.

— gordon mah ung, PCWorld, "HP's self-cooling Mindframe headset leads a new pack of high-end gaming accessories," 30 May 2018
Similarly, researchers cannot simulate the fitful way that black holes feed on gas and radiate x-rays.

— adrian cho, Science | AAAS, "Galaxy simulations are at last matching reality—and producing surprising insights into cosmic evolution," 30 May 2018
On Tuesday, the Kensington Palace shared one of the new Royal couple's official wedding photos and the black and white snapshot that captured the newlyweds radiated nothing but love and stole the internet's heart.

— lauren porter, Essence.com, "The Story Behind One Of Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Best Wedding Portraits Is As Sweet As The Photo," 25 May 2018
Trader says, nodding toward the canyons radiating out below us.

— kyle dickman, Outside Online, "What If Our Forests Don't Come Back?," 9 May 2018
Construction has begun on a nearby Pepco substation, with transmission lines radiating out over the neighborhood.

— courtland milloy, Washington Post, "Southwest D.C. is getting a new stadium, new restaurants and more dust and pollution for its poorest residents," 6 May 2018
Deadline reported that in the movie, Princess Turandot, played by Chinese actress Guan Xiaotong, is cursed by a mysterious power radiating from three bracelets given to her as birthday presents.

— hanna lustig, Teen Vogue, "Dylan Sprouse Will Star in a New Fantasy Movie Called Turandot," 30 May 2018
The heat, radiating from roads and cement buildings well into the night, was made worse by the city’s notorious lack of green space.

— meher ahmad, New York Times, "Looking for a Bit of Shade as Intense Heat Wave Hits Karachi," 29 May 2018
These shock waves travel through the air, radiating from all directions, like radar or sonar waves.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Rifle-Mounted Sensor Can Hear and Locate the Source of Enemy Gunfire," 17 May 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

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

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

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

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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

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Origin and Etymology of radiate

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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

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Medical Dictionary

radiate

medical Definition of radiate

radiate

medical Definition of radiate

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