radiator

noun

ra·​di·​a·​tor ˈrā-dē-ˌā-tər 

dialectal ˈra-

: one that radiates: such as

a

: any of various devices (such as a series of pipes or tubes) for transferring heat from a fluid within to an area or object outside

b

: a transmitting antenna

Examples of radiator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If several of these meteorites puncture the radiator fins, the plant will be unable to cool down properly. —Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 19 May 2026

Bhatt told me that Cowboy plans to use the faring of the spacecraft as a giant radiator to handle that heat, though design is still in progress. —Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

Sofas, beds and curtains pushed close to baseboard heaters or radiators can trap dust and sit dangerously close to a heat source. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026

Even then the metal was sanded finely and in the Lucca’s case the radiator and spoked wheels were fitted with covers for improved aerodynamics. —New Atlas, 8 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for radiator

• creator
• curator
• debater
• deflator
• dictator
• dilator
• equator
• locator
• piscator
• pronator
• relator
• rotator

Kids Definition

radiator

noun

ra·​di·​a·​tor ˈrād-ē-ˌāt-ər 

: one that radiates

especially : any of various devices (as a set of pipes or tubes) for transferring heat from a fluid within to an area or object outside