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Definition of "irradiate" [ir•ra•di•ate]

  • To expose to radiation. (verb-transitive)
  • To treat with radiation: irradiate farm produce so as to destroy bacteria. (verb-transitive)
  • To shed light on; illuminate. (verb-transitive)
  • To manifest in a manner suggesting the emission of light; radiate: irradiate goodness. (verb-transitive)
  • Archaic To send forth rays; radiate. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "irradiate" in a sentence
  • "Rashid: "(The table) is organic like sound, omnidirectional like sound, and that emphasizes the 'volumous' beats that irradiate from the two turntables.""
  • "Microwaves and heat waves (infrared) both "irradiate" food."
  • "Microwaves and heat waves infrared both "irradiate" food."