First Known Use: circa 1619
Dictionary
1radiate
verb ra·di·ate \ˈrā-dē-ˌāt\
: to go out in a direct line from a central point or area
: to move in a specified direction from a source
: to send out (something, such as heat or energy) in rays
ra·di·at·edra·di·at·ing
Full Definition of RADIATE
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
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Origin of RADIATE
Latin radiatus, past participle of radiare, from radius ray
Rhymes with RADIATE
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2radiate
adjective ra·di·ate \ˈrā-dē-ət, -ˌāt\
Definition of RADIATE
: having rays or radial parts: as a : having ray flowers b : characterized by radial symmetry : radially symmetrical
— ra·di·ate·ly adverb
First Known Use of RADIATE
1668
Other Biology Terms
RADIATE Defined for Kids
radiate
verb ra·di·ate \ˈrā-dē-ˌāt\
ra·di·at·edra·di·at·ing
Definition of RADIATE for Kids
1
: to send out rays : shine <The sun was radiating in the sky.>
2
: to come forth in the form of rays <Light radiates from shining bodies.>
3
: to go out in a direct line from a center <Spokes radiate from the center of the wheel.>
4
: to spread around from or as if from a center <Word radiated that Royce McNabb had sent Ina-Rae Gage a valentine. — Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder>
5
: to show very clearly <She radiates confidence.>
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