View synonyms for radiation

radiation

[ rey-dee-ey-shuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Physics.
1. the process in which energy is emitted as particles or waves.
2. the complete process in which energy is emitted by one body, transmitted through an intervening medium or space, and absorbed by another body.
3. the energy transferred by these processes.
the act or process of radiating.
something that is radiated.
radial arrangement of parts.

radiation

/ ˌreɪdɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

physics
1. the emission or transfer of radiant energy as particles, electromagnetic waves, sound, etc
2. the particles, etc, emitted, esp the particles and gamma rays emitted in nuclear decay
Also calledradiation therapy med treatment using a radioactive substance
anatomy a group of nerve fibres that diverge from their common source
See adaptive radiation
the act, state, or process of radiating or being radiated
surveying the fixing of points around a central plane table by using an alidade and measuring tape

radiation

/ rā′dē-ā′shən /

1. Streams of photons, electrons, small nuclei, or other particles. Radiation is given off by a wide variety of processes, such as thermal activity, nuclear reactions (as in fission), and by radioactive decay.
2. The emission or movement of such particles through space or a medium, such as air.
The use of such energy, especially x-rays, in medical diagnosis and treatment.

radiation

Energy sent out in the form of particles or waves . ( See alpha radiation , beta radiation , blackbody , cosmic rays , electromagnetic radiation , fluorescence , gamma radiation , photon , and quanta .)

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Derived Forms

ˌradiˈational, adjective

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Other Words From

radi·ation·al adjective
anti·radi·ation adjective
inter·radi·ation noun
nonra·di·ation noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of radiation¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin radiātiōn-, stem of radiātiō “beam, gleam, shine”; equivalent to radiate + -ion

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Example Sentences

Need someone to fix a part on the spacecraft and expose himself to lethal radiation?

From Salon

Someone has to sample the radiation in the atmosphere and the toxins in the air.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the older survivors had facial abnormalities from radiation or enucleation.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1955, the NPL invented the first atomic clock of the sort that is used today, based on the frequency of radiation from an atom of the element caesium.

From BBC

The work, he complained on social media, was aimed at helping “throat cancer patients recover from radiation therapy faster.”

From Salon

Related Words

radioactivity

radiate radiational cooling

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