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radiant

radiant

3 6.7
A thing that gives off light or heat
  • noun
  • /ˈreɪdiənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : radiante
  • The radiant of the meteor shower can be found in the constellation Perseus in the northern sky.
  • shower radiants
  • meteors and their radiant
  • radiant in the constellation

Examples

  • Best viewing comes after midnight when the shower's radiant (which lies in the constellation Gemini) lies highest.

    Academic text (2006)
  • During the peak of the meteor shower, the radiant is positioned high above the horizon.

  • The starting point, called the radiant, is found in the part of Leo that looks to be a backwards question mark.

    Blog text (24)
  • The starting point, called the radiant for obvious reasons, is found in the part of Leo that looks like a backwards question mark.

    Blog text (3)
  • The radiant is highest in the sky just before dawn, making this the optimal viewing time.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Shower meteors are those that you can mentally trace back to the radiant.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Most meteor showers get their name from the constellation that contains their radiant.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Today, astronomers avoid such controversies by naming meteor showers after the constellation containing the radiant.

    Academic text (1994)
  • For the Leonids, the radiant will be in the sickle of the constellation Leo (hence the name "Leonids"), near the bright star Regulus.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Astronomers have identified a new radiant that produces bright meteors during the annual meteor shower.

Synonyms

lamp
vsradiant
274 1.0

Something that gives light for a room or table

is the technical term used especially in scientific contexts rather than ordinary devices
light source
vsradiant
12 3.0

A thing like a lamp or candle that makes a place bright so you can see

is used especially in technical or scientific contexts rather than general illumination
radiator
vsradiant
1 3.5

An object that sends out heat or light, for example the sun

is the scientific sense for emitting light or energy rather than only heat
illuminator
vsradiant
1 5.6

A device or person that gives light to make things visible

is more a technical term for emitting light or energy not just a tool
1 3.9

A thing that gives light so you can see

is focused on technical emission of light or energy rather than simple visibility
illuminant
vsradiant
  • Specialized
1 8.4

Something that gives light, like a lamp or bulb

is used mainly in technical or scientific contexts rather than everyday naming
infrared lamp
vsradiant
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A light that gives heat you can feel but not see, used to warm or help sore muscles

focuses on light or energy emission generally and not only heat radiation
emanator
vsradiant
9.0

A source that gives off light, sound, or energy

is limited to emitting light or energy in technical or scientific contexts
lucigen
vsradiant
  • Specialized
9.9

A material that gives light when you turn it on or add a chemical

is broader applying to emission in scientific contexts beyond activation processes
ultraviolet source
vsradiant
  • Specialized
6.2

A device that gives off ultraviolet light used for lighting or experiments

is broader referring to emitting light or energy generally in technical contexts

Antonyms

nonluminous
  • Specialized
6.8

Not giving off light by itself

Compounds

radiant energy
  • Specialized
1 5.0

Power that travels through space as light or radio waves

radiant flux
  • Specialized
1 7.5

The amount of light or heat energy that moves each second

radiant heating
  • Specialized
4.4

A way to make a building warm by using panels in floors, walls, or ceilings that give out warmth

How Bright

lighthouse
65 1.8
beacon
66 4.3
light source
12 3.0
radiant
  • Specialized
3 6.7
glow
119 1.0

Surface Forms

radiant singular
radiants plural

Etymology

Radiant as a noun names a thing that gives off light or energy and comes from the Latin radius, meaning 'ray'. Think of a machine sending out rays, and you can remember that a radiant is something that emits light or power.