radiator

[ rey-dee-ey-ter ]

/ ˈreɪ diˌeɪ tər /

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See synonyms for: radiator / radiators on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person or thing that radiates.

any of various heating devices, as a series or coil of pipes through which steam or hot water passes.

a device constructed from thin-walled tubes and metal fins, used for cooling circulating water, as in an automobile engine.

Radio. a transmitting antenna.

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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of radiator

First recorded in 1830–40; radiate + -or²

Words nearby radiator

radiation resistance, radiation sickness, radiative, radiative capture, radiative zone, radiator, radiator grille, radiatus, radical, radical axis, radical chic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use radiator in a sentence

The soundbar itself relies on passive radiators for low-end, which easily bests your TV’s built-in speakers, but can’t compete against something with real power behind it.
Polk React Soundbar review: Alexa’s favorite affordable audio upgrade|Billy Cadden|July 29, 2021|Popular-Science
The main reasons they tend to do that, he says, is because of the effect of the air accelerating over the top of it, as well as the air rushing into the radiator and pushing the front-end upwards.
This Cadillac gets heavier the faster it goes—and that’s a good thing|Rob Verger|July 1, 2021|Popular-Science
Insulation was installed behind radiators, also to prevent heat loss.
The Empire State Building's Green Retrofit Was a Success. Will Other Buildings Follow Suit?|Alejandro de la Garza|May 10, 2021|Time
Admittedly, this is not obvious from the show itself, which consists mostly of fabric that’s hanging or draped — including on, yes, a radiator — alongside photos and videos of similar displays.
In the galleries: Breaching the border between art and furniture|Mark Jenkins|March 12, 2021|Washington Post

If your radiator just isn’t cutting it or your officemate insists on keeping the window open, a space heater could be the perfect solution.
Best space heater: Stay warm in every space, from the garage to the basement|Carsen Joenk|February 18, 2021|Popular-Science
It was around noon that Brinsley chucked the phone behind a radiator at the basketball stadium and went off the grid.
Alleged Cop Killer Ismaaiyl Brinsley Had a Death Wish|M.L. Nestel|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Once there, I have two windows looking our on our courtyard, and a radiator for coziness.
How I Write: Diane Johnson|Noah Charney|January 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Love the author photo, with the Isro and all, sitting on a radiator cover at The New Yorker.
The Most Underrated Novels I’ve Edited|Daniel Menaker|November 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The room, perhaps 10 by 25 feet, seemed like a prison cell: blankets on the floors, a bottle of water, a Quran on the radiator.
My Harrowing Kidnapping Ordeal in Syria|Balint Szlanko|January 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Any idea why it tasted like some combination of radiator fluid and formaldehyde?
Guy Fieri Battles Scathing New York Times Review by Pete Wells|Katie Baker|November 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
If not obtained at first, let the slide stand in a warm place, as upon a hot-water radiator, for an hour.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Girls are just like cats; they all like to mope around the register or the steam radiator in cold weather.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
Finally, however, she undressed, shuddering although the room was warmed by an electric radiator.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
He was dozing in a corner near the radiator when I heard him yelp and saw him snapping at his belly.
Average Jones|Samuel Hopkins Adams
The speaker examined the keyhole, then walked over to the radiator and looked over, under and through it minutely.
Average Jones|Samuel Hopkins Adams

British Dictionary definitions for radiator

radiator

/ (ˈreɪdɪˌeɪtə) /

noun

a device for heating a room, building, etc, consisting of a series of pipes through which hot water or steam passes

a device for cooling an internal-combustion engine, consisting of thin-walled tubes through which water passes. Heat is transferred from the water through the walls of the tubes to the airstream, which is created either by the motion of the vehicle or by a fan

Australian and NZ an electric fire

electronics the part of an aerial or transmission line that radiates electromagnetic waves

an electric space heater

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for radiator

radiator

[ rā′dē-ā′tər ]

A body that emits radiation. Radiators are commonly designed to transfer heat energy from one place to another, as in an automobile, in which the radiator cools the engine by transferring heat energy from the engine to the air, or in buildings, where radiators transfer heat energy from a furnace to the air and objects in the surrounding room.

radiator

Origin of radiator

Words nearby radiator

Words related to radiator

How to use radiator in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for radiator

Scientific definitions for radiator