radiate

1 of 2

verb

ra·​di·​ate ˈrā-dē-ˌāt How to pronounce radiate (audio)
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
3
: to spread abroad or around as if from a center

radiate

2 of 2

adjective

ra·​di·​ate ˈrā-dē-ət How to pronounce radiate (audio)
-ˌāt
: having rays or radial parts: such as
a
: having ray flowers
b
: characterized by radial symmetry : radially symmetrical
radiately adverb

Examples of radiate in a Sentence

Verb The pain was radiating down my arm. The sun radiates heat and light. Heat radiates from the sun.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Her beauty radiates from both within and on the stage. Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024 Earth’s core, at a scorching 6,000 °C, radiates heat through layers of magma, continental crust, and sedimentary rock. IEEE Spectrum, 12 Mar. 2024 Like most of the actor's early roles, Robert Graysmith starts the film as a gentle, soft-spoken character with a quiet but sweet disposition that radiates naivety. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024 The number indicates how many lines radiate from that point, each connecting to the corresponding number of other points. Megan Greenwell, WIRED, 26 Feb. 2024 Today’s pink is more lustrous, with deeper tones radiating from palest shell pink to deep magenta and orchid. Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 The heat radiated when the molten steel was in sight. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 Blinded by the sun's glare radiating off the snow, the group made its way to what's known as a SNOTEL site, where SRP collects information about weather and snow. Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 24 Feb. 2024 Both Opia and Lawson are excellent as Coretta and Betty, radiating different types of intelligence — one more nurturing, one more fierce. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'radiate.' 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

Verb

Latin radiatus, past participle of radiare, from radius ray

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1619, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of radiate was circa 1619

Dictionary Entries Near radiate

Cite this Entry

“Radiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radiate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

radiate

verb
ra·​di·​ate
ˈrād-ē-ˌāt
radiated; radiating
1
: to proceed in a direct line from or toward a center
2
a
: to send out rays : shine
b
: to come forth in the form or as if in the form of rays
3
: to spread around from or as if from a center
Etymology

Verb

Latin radiare "to proceed from or toward a center," from radius "ray, beam, spoke" — related to radio, radius, ray entry 2

Medical Definition

radiate

1 of 2 verb
ra·​di·​ate ˈrād-ē-ˌāt How to pronounce radiate (audio)
radiated; radiating

intransitive verb

: to issue in or as if in rays : spread from a central point
back pain radiating to both upper legsTony Miksanek

radiate

2 of 2 adjective
ra·​di·​ate ˈrād-ē-ət, -ē-ˌāt How to pronounce radiate (audio)
1
: having rays or radial parts
2
: characterized by radial symmetry : radially symmetrical

More from Merriam-Webster on radiate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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