emitted; emitting

transitive verb

1
a
: to throw or give off or out
emit light/heat
b
: to send out : eject
2
a
: to issue with authority
especially : to put (something, such as money) into circulation
b
obsolete : publish
3
: to give utterance or voice to
emitted a groan
emitter noun

Examples of emit in a Sentence

The telescope can detect light emitted by distant galaxies. chimneys emitting thick, black smoke The brakes emitted a loud squeal.
Recent Examples on the Web To make negative illumination work for energy harvesting on Earth requires the photovoltaic cell to emit radiation at a wavelength within the atmospheric transmission window. Sid Assawaworrarit, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2023 Share [Findings] Inland waters are emitting previously unaccounted-for levels of carbon dioxide, and freshwater insects are flourishing even as terrestrial insects are dying off. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 22 Nov. 2023 Drones, meanwhile, continue to circle overhead, emitting a low hum. Anna Schecter, NBC News, 21 Nov. 2023 In the meantime, research suggests that the world has somewhere between six to nine years left at current emissions levels before emitting enough carbon dioxide to eclipse the 1.5 degree Celsius mark, a target written into the Paris agreement. Chico Harlan, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023 The candle still emits its scent when it's not being burned. Michelle Rostamian, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2023 Humans can emit only another 250 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide and maintain at least even odds of meeting that goal, scientists say. E&e News, Scientific American, 20 Nov. 2023 According to researchers at Imperial College London, our cars and trucks emit 6 million tons of tire wear particles every year, transportation detritus that goes into the air, the land, and the water. Tim Stevens, The Verge, 17 Nov. 2023 Here, the sky tussles with menacing clouds, and Diego Gaeta’s keys emit a Stevie-esque sensibility. Jem Aswad, Variety, 14 Nov. 2023 See More

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

Latin emittere to send out, from e- + mittere to send

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of emit was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near emit

Cite this Entry

“Emit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emit. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

emit

verb
emitted; emitting
1
a
: to throw or give off or out
emit light
b
: to send out : eject
2
: utter entry 2 sense 1
emit a groan
Etymology

from Latin emittere "to send out," from e-, ex- "out, forth" and mittere "to send, throw" — related to dismiss, message, missile, transmit

More from Merriam-Webster on emit

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