radiate

present singular third person radiates · participle present radiating · participle past radiated · past radiated

1. intransitiveTo extend, be sent or spread out from a center like radii.

   Oban is not a terminus; its routes radiate by sea, rail and road.

   1994, Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons, Parliamentary Debates

   2 more examples

   Crewe North Motive Power Depot is to be modernised completely. This includes the provision of a new coaling plant, ash handling plant, and two new locomotive sheds of the latest roundhouse type, each with 32 roads radiating from a 70-ft. dia. turntable.

   1948 November and December, “Crewe M.P.D. to be Modernised”, in Railway Magazine, page 372

   Doncaster is a rail hub in every sense. Passenger lines radiate in six directions, there are freight lines that bypass the station, extensive freight yards, a major works, and a rolling stock depot.

   2021 May 19, Philip Haigh, “Doncaster enhancements relying on DfT approval”, in RAIL, number 931, page 30

2. transitiveTo emit rays or waves.

   The stove radiates heat.

3. intransitiveTo come out or proceed in rays or waves.

   The heat radiates from a stove.

   2 more examples

   Light radiates from luminous bodies directly to our eyes.

   1706, John Locke, Elements of Natural Philosophy

   She raised her head, and carefully opened her eyes again, staring directly into the orange glow radiating through the thick glass.

   1988, Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul, William Heinemann Ltd, page 139

4. transitiveTo illuminate.
5. transitiveTo expose to ionizing radiation, such as by radiography.

   Synonyms: irradiate

6. figurativelyintransitivetransitiveTo manifest in a glowing manner.

   Her face radiated joy. Her face radiated with joy.

   1 more example

   Slim, sensual Richard Hell radiates a commanding coolness.

   1978 August 19, Harold Pickett, “New York, New York”, in Gay Community News, volume 6, number 5, page 8

7. figurativelyintransitiveTo manifest itself in a glowing manner.

   Joy radiated from her face.

   1 more example

   Something radiated from him like a sheen: a drive, a self assurance, a fixity of purpose.

   2026 February 17, Hugh Muir, “A historic force to be reckoned with, a giant to be mourned. Our panel pays tribute to the Rev Jesse Jackson”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 19 Jun 2026

8. intransitivebiologyTo spread into new habitats, migrate.
9. obsoletetransitiveTo broadcast by radio.

   Programmes marked thus will be radiated by Droitwich, but not by London and North National transmitters.

   1938, Radio Times, volume 59, number 761, page 25

comparative more radiate · superlative most radiate

1. Radiating from a center; having rays or parts diverging from a center; radiated.

   a radiate crystal

2. Surrounded by rays, such as the head of a saint in a religious picture; (heraldry) radiant.

   On a wreath of the colors argent and tenné four lightning flashes barbed radiate pilewise of the first, a Roman helm or garnished gules.

   2005, Rebecca R. Raines, Signal Corps, Department of the Army, page 117

   1 more example

   […] and (2) the radiate or Eastern crown, usually five rays being shown. The see of Ely bears the apocryphal coat of St. Ethelreda: gules, three open crowns or. Azure, three open crowns or, are the arms of[…]

   1915, Guy Cadogan Rothery, A. B. C. of Heraldry, page 240

3. biologyHaving parts radiating from the center, like the petals in many flowers.
4. biologyConsisting of a disc in which the florets are tubular.
5. biologyHaving radial symmetry, like a sea star.
6. biologyBelonging to the Radiata.

plural radiates

1. biologyOne of the Radiata.