irradiate
verb
ir·ra·di·ate
i-ˈrā-dē-ˌāt 
irradiated; irradiating
1
a
: to affect or treat by radiant energy (such as heat)
specifically
: to treat by irradiation
b
: to cast rays of light upon : illuminate
c
: to enlighten intellectually or spiritually
2
: to emit like rays of light : radiate
irradiating strength and comfort
archaic
: to emit rays : shine
Examples of irradiate in a Sentence
The food was irradiated to kill any germs.
the light from a galaxy of flashing signs irradiates the heart and soul of Las Vegas
Recent Examples on the Web
Clooney — face wrapped in a giant gray beard — plays Augustine, a scientist at an Arctic research station that's still standing after an unnamed global catastrophe leaves the Earth irradiated.
—
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025
In a cylinder, however, irradiating from only one direction would result in an uneven pattern confined to a single side.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
Her old home was inside the 12½-mile km irradiated exclusion zone.
—Reuters, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
Set two-hundred years after atomic armageddon, residents of Vault-Tec’s network of luxury fallout habitats begin to explore the radioactive territory outside their shelters and discover a nightmarish world of militant factions, irradiated creatures, vicious raiders, and feral monsters.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irradiate
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Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025
In a cylinder, however, irradiating from only one direction would result in an uneven pattern confined to a single side.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
Her old home was inside the 12½-mile km irradiated exclusion zone.
—Reuters, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
Set two-hundred years after atomic armageddon, residents of Vault-Tec’s network of luxury fallout habitats begin to explore the radioactive territory outside their shelters and discover a nightmarish world of militant factions, irradiated creatures, vicious raiders, and feral monsters.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irradiate
Cite this Entry
“Irradiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irradiate. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
irradiate
verb
ir·ra·di·ate
ir-ˈād-ē-ˌāt
irradiated; irradiating
1
a
: to cast rays of light on : illuminate
b
: to affect or treat by exposure to radiation (as of ultraviolet light, X-rays, or gamma rays)
2
: to give off like rays of light : radiate
irradiation
noun
-ˌād-ē-ˈā-shən
Medical Definition
irradiate
transitive verb
ir·ra·di·ate
ir-ˈād-ē-ˌāt
irradiated; irradiating
: to affect or treat by radiant energy (as heat)
specifically
: to treat by exposure to radiation (as ultraviolet light or gamma rays)
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