ra·di·ate
ˈrā-dē-ˌāt 
radiated; radiating
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
1
: to send out in or as if in rays
2
3
: to spread abroad or around as if from a center
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
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
There are no frills or fancy touches, but a sense of familiarity and open-mindedness radiates throughout.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
Scarlet’s final encounter with Claudius radiates with the complicated poignancy expected of real, difficult catharsis.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
A feeling of relief radiated throughout the Golden State Warriors organization late Wednesday night with the news of Jonathan Kuminga’s trade to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for radiate
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Verb
The lobby radiates the personality, warmth, and candor of a Swiss bank.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
There are no frills or fancy touches, but a sense of familiarity and open-mindedness radiates throughout.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
Scarlet’s final encounter with Claudius radiates with the complicated poignancy expected of real, difficult catharsis.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
A feeling of relief radiated throughout the Golden State Warriors organization late Wednesday night with the news of Jonathan Kuminga’s trade to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for radiate
Cite this Entry
“Radiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radiate. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
radiate
1 of 2 verb
ra·di·ate
ˈrād-ē-ˌāt
radiated; radiating
: to issue in or as if in rays : spread from a central point
back pain radiating to both upper legs—Tony Miksanek
Tony Miksanekradiate
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
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