emit

verb

ē-ˈmit 

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

Synonyms of emit

• radiate
• cast
• emanate
• release

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

Finally, a carbon filter is used to eliminate odors such as ammonia, cigarette smoke, hydrogen sulfide, and other pollutants that emit unpleasant smells. —John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026

These gases absorb heat energy emitted from Earth’s surface and reradiate it back to the ground. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

Workers load stacks of textiles onto belts that move them through the scanner, which emits a sharp hiss while reading the textiles’ composition. —Tian MacLeod Ji, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026

Across the nation, the level of light emitted at night has dropped by as much as 50 percent in some cities, according to Bloomberg, as fuel shortages force widespread power cuts. —Thomas E. Franklin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing emit

• re-emit

Rhymes for emit

• acquit
• admit
• amrit
• armpit
• backlit
• befit
• cockpit
• commit
• dalit
• dendrite
• illite
• misfit

Kids Definition

emit

verb

ē-ˈmit 

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