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
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.
Decaying sargassum poses health risks, emits noxious gases, and smothers marine habitats and tourist beaches alike, underscoring a cascading set of environmental and economic challenges well beyond the Caribbean islands. Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025 The feature includes the research and voices of more than 100 leading international architects; Kossakovsky details in the trailer that eight percent of all CO2 is emitted due to cement, with 36 percent of that coming from construction alone. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 June 2025 By comparison, cars in the region currently emit about 9 tons of NOx per day, Martinez said. NOx isn’t only responsible for smog. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025 Stars burn like celestial nuclear fusion reactors, quasars emit thousands of times the luminosity of the Milky Way galaxy, and asteroids slam into planets. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for emit

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emit. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

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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