radiate

1 of 2

verb

ra·di·ate ˈrā-dē-ˌāt

radiated; radiating

Synonyms of radiate

intransitive verb

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

: to send out rays : shine brightly

: to issue in or as if in rays

: to evolve by adaptive radiation

transitive verb

: to send out in or as if in rays

: irradiate, illuminate

: to spread abroad or around as if from a center

radiate

2 of 2

adjective

ra·di·ate ˈrā-dē-ət -ˌāt

: having rays or radial parts: such as

: having ray flowers

: 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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Verb

Although the Perseids appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, meteors can appear almost anywhere overhead. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 This is because your stovetop and oven radiate a significant amount of heat. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 July 2026 Holland’s jittery, earnest, winsome take on the iconic 64-year-old comic iconic was instantly likable, radiating teen-geek charisma. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026 Mulch and smart watering finish the job Bare soil bakes in the sun and radiates that heat back into the yard. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for radiate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin radiatus, past participle of radiare, from radius ray

First Known Use

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Adjective

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of radiate was in 1598

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Radiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radiate. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

radiate

verb

ra·di·ate

ˈrād-ē-ˌāt

radiated; radiating

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

: to send out rays : shine

: to come forth in the form or as if in the form of rays

: 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

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

2 of 2 adjective

ra·di·ate ˈrād-ē-ət, -ē-ˌāt

: having rays or radial parts

: characterized by radial symmetry : radially symmetrical

radiate

verb

adjective

Synonyms of radiate

Examples of radiate in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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