emitter

American  

[ih-mit-er] / ɪˈmɪt ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that emits.

2. Electronics. an electrode on a transistor from which a flow of electrons or holes enters the region between the electrodes.

---

emitter British  

/ ɪˈmɪtə /

noun

1. a person or thing that emits

2. a radioactive substance that emits radiation

   a beta emitter

3. the region in a transistor in which the charge-carrying holes or electrons originate

---

Etymology

Origin of emitter

First recorded in 1880–85; emit + -er ¹

Example Sentences

They identified a molybdenum-based "spin-flip" emitter as an effective solution.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

By placing the sample extremely close to the emitter, the team captured the terahertz light before it could spread out.

From Science Daily • Mar. 17, 2026

China is the world's biggest emitter of planet-warning greenhouse gases but is also installing more renewable energy sources and putting more electric vehicles on its roads than any other country.

From Barron's • Nov. 4, 2025

Meanwhile, if global shipping were a country, it would reportedly be the sixth-largest greenhouse-gas emitter in the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 20, 2025

“But you can use it to make a different type of emitter for sympathy lamps. You get a bluish light instead of the ordinary red. A little easier on the eyes. Fetch outrageous prices.”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss