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
3
: to spread abroad or around as if from a center

radiate

2 of 2

adjective

: having rays or radial parts: such as
a
: having ray flowers
b
: 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
Acute pancreatitis causes severe upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 22 Dec. 2024 That complacency radiates in every aspect of the creative process of developing our stories. Kui Mwai, Essence, 20 Dec. 2024 The sharp pain radiates through the bottom of your feet and makes even standing difficult. Cory Smith, Outside Online, 20 Dec. 2024 Today’s fire pits go beyond just a metal bowl for lighting up wood, extending into design statements that not only radiate warmth but also good taste. Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for radiate 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of radiate was circa 1619

Dictionary Entries Near radiate

Cite this Entry

“Radiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radiate. Accessed 1 Jan. 2025.

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
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

radiate

2 of 2 adjective
1
: having rays or radial parts
2
: characterized by radial symmetry : radially symmetrical

More from Merriam-Webster on radiate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!