radiation
gb/ɹˌeɪdiˈeɪʃən/ us/ɹˌeɪdiˈeɪʃən/
B1
English
~ 4600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
event
1
energy sent out as waves or particles
Energy that comes from a source as waves or tiny particles, often from the sun or dangerous materials.
Usage pattern:
[something] gives off radiation
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'radiation' with 'radio' or 'radiator', but they are unrelated concepts.
Synonyms
emission (A general term for something being sent out, not limited to energy.)
Antonyms
absorption (The process of taking in energy or particles rather than emitting them.)
Collocations
radiation exposure
|radiation levels
|radiation therapy
|solar radiation
|ionizing radiation
Themes
science
|environment
|health
|nature
Examples
- The scientists measured the amount of radiation coming from the reactor.
- Too much exposure to UV radiation can damage your skin.
- The satellite collects data on solar radiation.
- Radiation from the radioactive waste is dangerous to humans.
- Lead shielding can block most types of harmful radiation.
Learner examples
- The sun gives us light and radiation.
- Radiation from the sun can be strong in summer.
- Some machines use radiation to take pictures inside the body.
- Too much radiation is bad for health.
Noun
technical
B2
action
2
medical use of radiation to treat disease
A medical treatment that uses powerful radiation to kill cancer cells.
Usage pattern:
receive radiation for [an illness]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'radiation' (treatment) with 'radiation' as harmful exposure; context is important.
Synonyms
radiotherapy (Technical medical term for this treatment.)
Antonyms
chemotherapy (A different type of cancer treatment using drugs instead of radiation.)
Collocations
radiation therapy
|radiation treatment
|undergo radiation
Themes
medicine
|health
|science
Examples
- She is undergoing radiation for breast cancer.
- Radiation is often combined with chemotherapy for better results.
- The patient completed six weeks of daily radiation treatments.
Learner examples
- He gets radiation to treat his cancer.
- My aunt had radiation after surgery.
- Radiation can help kill cancer cells.
Noun
B2
event
3
spreading outward from a central point
When something spreads out from the center in all directions.
Synonyms
dispersion (Focuses on scattering, not necessarily from a central point.)
Antonyms
concentration (Gathering together toward a central point.)
Collocations
heat radiation
|wave radiation
Themes
science
|space
Examples
- The design shows the radiation of lines from the center.
- Heat radiation occurs when warmth spreads out from a hot object.
- The explosion caused the radiation of shock waves in all directions.
Learner examples
- The sun makes heat radiation.
- The lines show the radiation from the middle point.
- Radiation happens when heat moves away from something hot.
Grammar
Dictionary form
radiation
IPA
GB/ɹˌeɪdiˈeɪʃən/
US/ɹˌeɪdiˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
ra - di - ation (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ation)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: radiation
- Plural: radiation, radiations
Word family
Forms
radiations
noun
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
nonradioactive
adjective
Advanced or less common
irradiate
verb
irradiation
noun
radiotherapy
noun
Expressions
radiation sickness
1/ɹˌeɪdiˈeɪʃən sˈɪknəs/
fixed phrase
technical
illness from too much radiation exposure
A serious illness caused by too much exposure to dangerous radiation.
Examples
- Several workers developed radiation sickness after the accident.
- Radiation sickness can cause vomiting, hair loss, and even death.
radiation therapy
1/ɹˌeɪdiˈeɪʃən θˈɛɹəpi/
fixed phrase
technical
treatment using controlled radiation doses
A medical treatment that uses controlled amounts of radiation to kill cancer cells or other harmful cells.
Examples
- She is receiving radiation therapy for her lung cancer.
- Radiation therapy is often combined with surgery for better results.
solar radiation
1/sˈoʊlɚ ɹˌeɪdiˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
energy coming from the sun
Energy from the sun that travels as light or other invisible waves.
Examples
- Solar radiation is stronger at high altitudes.
- Plants use solar radiation to make food through photosynthesis.