emit

American  

[ih-mit] / ɪˈmɪt /

verb (used with object)

emitted, emitting

1. to send forth (liquid, light, heat, sound, particles, etc.); discharge.

2. to give forth or release (a sound).

   He emitted one shrill cry and then was silent.

3. to utter or voice, as opinions.

4. to issue, as an order or a decree.

5. to issue formally for circulation, as paper money.

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emit British  

/ ɪˈmɪt /

verb

1. to give or send forth; discharge

   the pipe emitted a stream of water

2. to give voice to; utter

   she emitted a shrill scream

3. physics to give off (radiation or particles)

4. to put (currency) into circulation

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Usage

What does emit mean? Emit means to release or discharge something, such as gas, liquid, heat, sound, light, or radiation. The process of emitting is called emission. Emission can also refer to something that has been emitted. A specific example of an emission is the exhaust emitted from cars (in the U. S., such emissions are regulated through emissions tests). This exhaust is just one form of carbon emissions—greenhouse gases emitted from various sources that are known to contribute to global warming and climate change. In things like TVs and light bulbs, the term LED stands for “light-emitting diode,” a semiconductor device that emits light when conducting current. Emit usually implies that things are being released in a passive way, but some senses of the word are more active. Emit sometimes specifically means to give off or make a sound, as in My cat emitted the worst sound when I accidentally stepped on his tail. It can also be used in a somewhat figurative way meaning to say or voice, as in She certainly emitted her opinion. Example: Collectively, volcanoes emit carbon dioxide at far lower levels than cars and airplanes.

Other Word Forms

• reemit verb (used with object)
• self-emitted adjective
• unemitted adjective
• unemitting adjective

Etymology

Origin of emit

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin ēmittere “to send forth,” from ē- e- ¹ + mittere “to let go, send”

Explanation

To emit means to give off or let out, and it usually has a lot to do with gases, smells and noises. All of which could be potentially embarrassing, depending on where they're coming from. Lots of things can be emitted: body heat from your hands, high-pitched sound waves from a dog whistle, nasty odors from your mouth after a garlic-heavy lunch. Coming from the Latin emitter, it simply means to “send forth.” Since climate change is such a hot topic, you've probably heard people talking about how much CO₂ cars emit or how many greenhouse gases factories emit into the air.

Example Sentences

“Reservoirs constitute an important source of methane,” said John Harrison, a professor at Washington State University’s School of the Environment who studies the greenhouse gases that reservoirs emit.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

The suit claims xAI’s 27 turbines emit nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde, linked to asthma, heart problems, and cancers.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Under the EU’s emissions-trading system, or ETS, companies whose operations emit climate-changing carbon dioxide must pay for a permit for each metric ton they emit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Young, hot stars emit intense ultraviolet radiation, which energizes nearby gas, Kewley explains.

From Science Daily • Mar. 23, 2026

One of the odd discoveries made by small boys is that when two pebbles are struck sharply against each other they emit, briefly, a curious smoky odor.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

Related Words

• beam
• belch
• breathe
• emanate
• exhale
• expend
• exude
• give off
• ooze
• pour
• radiate
• secrete
• spew
• spill
• spit
• transmit
• utter
• vent