radiative

American  

[rey-dee-ey-tiv] / ˈreɪ diˌeɪ tɪv /

Also radiatory

adjective

1. giving off radiation.

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radiative British  

/ ˈreɪdɪətərɪ, -trɪ, ˈreɪdɪətɪv /

adjective

1. physics emitting or causing the emission of radiation

   a radiative collision

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Other Word Forms

• nonradiative adjective
• subradiative adjective
• unradiative adjective

Etymology

Origin of radiative

First recorded in 1830–40; radiat(ion) + -ive

Example Sentences

The magnetic fields can be measured through the Zeeman effect of radiative emissions of atoms and molecules.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2025

Winter nights create favorable conditions for different forms of fog, such as cold-air pool fog, ephemeral mountain valley fog and radiative ice fog.

From Science Daily • Dec. 29, 2023

The scientists also considered radiative forcing, a measure of the balance of energy from sunlight that hits Earth, compared with thermal energy the planet loses.

From Scientific American • Sep. 13, 2023

For the next three hours, the group used the cards to recreate the chain of global warming, frowning as they tried to understand phenomena such as radiative forcing and ocean acidification.

From New York Times • Aug. 19, 2023

For more complex molecules the radiative and absorptive powers are known to be much greater.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 1 "Calhoun" to "Camoens" by Various