radiate

1 of 2

verb

ra·​di·​ate ˈrā-dē-ˌāt 

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

: irradiate, illuminate

3

: 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

a

: having ray flowers

b

: characterized by radial symmetry : radially symmetrical

radiately adverb

Synonyms

Verb

• branch
• fan (out)
• ray

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

Their attire and posture radiated an iconic, aristocratic style, exemplified by Vance's wife, who stood elegantly in her rose-pitch dress coat. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025

The Perseids appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, which rises around 11 pm local time and will be highest in the sky just before dawn. —Gretchen Rundorff, WIRED, 2 Jan. 2025

Today, the Quadrantids appear to radiate from the modern constellation Boötes, located in the northern part of the sky near the Big Dipper. —Katrina Miller, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025

The dancer, actor, and artist exuded an illuminating energy that radiated throughout the entertainment industry. —Essence, 10 Jan. 2025

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

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 

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 

1

: having rays or radial parts

2

: characterized by radial symmetry : radially symmetrical