emission

[ ih-mish-uhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of emitting:

   the emission of poisonous fumes.

2. something that is emitted; discharge; emanation.
3. an act or instance of issuing, as paper money.
4. Electronics. a measure of the number of electrons emitted by the heated filament or cathode of a vacuum tube.
5. an ejection or discharge of semen or other fluid from the body.

   Synonyms: ejaculation

6. the fluid ejected or discharged.

   Synonyms: ejaculate

emission

/ ɪˈmɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of emitting or sending forth
2. energy, in the form of heat, light, radio waves, etc, emitted from a source
3. a substance, fluid, etc, that is emitted; discharge
4. a measure of the number of electrons emitted by a cathode or electron gun See also secondary emission thermionic emission

   at 1000°C the emission is 3 mA

5. physiol any bodily discharge, esp an involuntary release of semen during sleep
6. an issue, as of currency

Derived Forms

• eˈmissive, adjective

Other Words From

• none·mission noun
• ree·mission noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of emission¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Middle French or directly from Latin ēmissiōn- (stem of ēmissiō ), equivalent to ēmiss(us), past participle of ēmittere “to send forth” ( ē- “from, out of” + mit-, stem of mittere “to send” + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- noun suffix; emit, e- ¹, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of emission¹

C17: from Latin ēmissiō, from ēmittere to send forth, emit

Example Sentences

The United States and China announced new greenhouse emission targets late Tuesday night.

From The Daily Beast

The joint-announcement should also put to bed long-term disagreements between Beijing and Washington over emission targets.

From The Daily Beast

However, researchers measured a decrease in X-ray emission last year: something new was blocking the light from reaching us.

From The Daily Beast

“Climate change” itself is now a dirty emission rarely uttered from the mouths of Republican leaders.

From The Daily Beast

Not words, of course, but an ongoing emission of verbal fragments.

From The Daily Beast

On the other hand, if too thin the emission is comparatively easy, but lacks intensity and is termed "hollow."

From Project Gutenberg

The violin was of good reputation for its tone of fine quality, quantity and ease of emission.

From Project Gutenberg

The emission of odors and acute sensibility to them is the only presumable agency at work in those instances.

From Project Gutenberg

Thereupon his anxiety became extreme, and simultaneously he experienced his first seminal emission.

From Project Gutenberg

On one occasion, however, he had a seminal emission during the night in association with a feeling of anxiety.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• discharge
• radiation