radiator

[ rey-dee-ey-ter ]

noun

1. a person or thing that radiates.
2. any of various heating devices, as a series or coil of pipes through which steam or hot water passes.
3. a device constructed from thin-walled tubes and metal fins, used for cooling circulating water, as in an automobile engine.
4. Radio. a transmitting antenna.

radiator

/ ˈreɪdɪˌeɪtə /

noun

1. a device for heating a room, building, etc, consisting of a series of pipes through which hot water or steam passes
2. 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
3. an electric fire
4. electronics the part of an aerial or transmission line that radiates electromagnetic waves
5. an electric space heater

radiator

/ rā′dē-ā′tər /

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of radiator¹

First recorded in 1830–40; radiate + -or ²

Example Sentences

When the plant is up and running, 132,000 litres of seawater a second will be sucked in to a system that works like a huge car radiator.

From BBC

They further claim that, once in the home, the men were told to undress in the kitchen, and then to warm their hands with hot water or on a radiator.

From BBC

"You don’t expect three major leaks in your bathroom, a downstairs radiator to be plumbed into the upstairs and vice versa, the fence between you and your neighbour to look like a rollercoaster," he adds.

From BBC

“So I’d be at work,” Elwell said, “and get this text with photos of something like an old radiator followed by this question: ‘TREASURE?’”

From Los Angeles Times

As well as basic broadband routers, that can include toys that are linked to the web, or home appliances like radiators, ovens and fridges that can be controlled remotely.

From BBC

Related Words

• boiler
• fastball
• furnace
• oven
• stove