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

• emanate
• ray
• derive
• diverge
• flow
• stem
• branch

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

The immense gravity of these central black holes generates huge amounts of friction in the accretion disk, which becomes very hot and radiates energy strongly, especially in ultraviolet wavelengths. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 July 2025

Juliana Ross hopes to amplify LGBTQ+ voices Julian (Juliana) Ross found his calling in elementary school, drawn to the confidence and beauty that drag queens radiated. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Paper lanterns and cotton clouds radiated from the rafters; the walls were festooned with bionic fans, gridded street networks, sewing materials, lightsabers. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 25 June 2025

Read more Volcanoes Satellite Images Reveal Scale of Wildfires Scorching New Mexico Mostly covered by perennial snow, ice and numerous glaciers radiating from the summit area, large avalanche deposits are observed on Iliamna's flanks, especially down the Umbrella Glacier on its southwest side. —Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 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