irradiate

Everyday

1. (science) To irradiate something is to send rays, such as X-rays, gamma rays or ultraviolet light, onto or through it. tree →
2. To irradiate food is to treat it with rays to kill germs so it keeps longer. tree →
3. (literary) To irradiate is to light something up brightly. tree →

In the lessons

Science lessons about radiation and light; health: doctors irradiate cancer cells to kill them; food safety. In stories: «a smile irradiated her face». It tells the reader rays or light are shining on something.

Examples

• Doctors irradiate tumours to destroy them. tree →
• Some spices are irradiated to kill germs. tree →
• The sun irradiates the Earth with light. tree →
• The scientist irradiated the seeds to see if they changed. tree →
• Sunlight irradiated the whole valley. tree →
• Irradiated food is not radioactive. tree →
• "My beams irradiated the naked walls that form the streets there. tree →

Note

Regular: irradiated. Noun: irradiation. Myth: irradiated food does not become radioactive. Contains «radiate» (to send out rays).