English Reference

Word

radiate

Phoneticsra·di·ate

US/ˈɹeɪdiˌeɪt/

UK/ɹˈeɪdɪˌeɪt/

Definitions

01to spread from a center

B2

v. to spread out in all directions from a central point, like the spokes of a wheel.

v. to extend or spread out from a central point in a radial pattern.

“Several small paths radiate from the fountain in the middle of the park.”

“The city's primary boulevards radiate from the central square, creating a geometric layout that facilitates movement toward the outskirts.”

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'from'.

Antonyms

02to emit energy

B2 · Science

v. to send out heat, light, or other energy.

v. to emit energy in the form of rays or waves.

“The hot metal began to radiate heat as soon as it left the fire.”

“The sun radiates vast amounts of electromagnetic energy, only a fraction of which reaches the Earth's atmosphere.”

Technical

Synonyms

Antonyms

04having rays

C2 · Biology

adj. having parts that grow or spread out from a center, like the petals of a daisy.

adj. characterized by parts that diverge from a central point; having radial symmetry.

“The flower has a radiate shape with many thin petals around the middle.”

“The specimen exhibited a radiate structure, typical of certain marine organisms that possess multiple axes of symmetry.”

Technical

Synonyms

Real-World Examples

“Charged-up walls radiate warmth back into rooms that never get the chance to cool.”
BBC News · 29 Jul 2026
“The curtains get hotter and hotter until they reach a temperature at which they are radiating as much heat as they absorb.”
The Guardian · 20 Jul 2026

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin radiātus, perfect passive participle of radiō (“to radiate, furnish with spokes, give out rays, radiate, shine”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from radius (“a spoke, ray”).

Learned borrowing from Latin radiātus (see Etymology 1 and -ate (adjective-forming suffix) for more).

From a substantivation of the above adjective through the associated taxon's name (Radiata), see -ate (noun-forming suffix).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Related words

Domains

BiologyBotanyZoology

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference