Emit Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide

Meaning 1：send out (emit)

emit 🔊

/ɪˈmɪt/

vt.

To send out something, such as light, heat, sound, or gas.

Solar panel emitting heat waves under bright sun

send out 🔊

➕

/sɛnd aʊt/

vt.

To release or discharge something, such as light, heat, sound, gas, or particles, from a source into the surrounding environment.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'emittere': 'e-' (out) + 'mittere' (to send).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'e' as 'exit' and 'mit' as 'missile' – sending out like a missile exiting a launcher.

📖 Example

The solar panels on my roof emit a very soft hum when they are working hard in the sunlight. 🔊 The solar panels on my roof emit a very soft hum when they are working hard in the sunlight.

🔗 Collocations

emit smoke – release smoke into the air

emit light – produce or give off light

emit a sound – make or produce a sound

🔄 Synonyms

radiate (v.) – to emit energy, heat, or light in the form of rays or waves

discharge (v.) – to release or send out a substance, especially a liquid or gas

exude (v.) – to emit slowly and gradually, often a liquid or moisture

🚫 Antonyms

absorb (v.) – to take in or soak up something, the opposite of emitting

retain (v.) – to keep or hold within, not letting out

withhold (v.) – to deliberately refrain from releasing or giving out

🌱 Derivatives

emission (n.) – the act of emitting or something that is emitted

emitter (n.) – a device or source that emits something

emissive (adj.) – relating to or capable of emitting radiation or particles

📖 Cultural Story

Emit originates from Latin 'emittere'. In modern English, it is frequently used in scientific contexts (e.g., 'emit radiation') and technology (e.g., 'emit a signal').