irradiation
noun
ir·ra·di·a·tion
i-ˌrā-dē-ˈā-shən 
1
: exposure to radiation (such as X-rays or alpha particles)
2
: the application of radiation (such as X-rays or gamma rays) for therapeutic purposes or for sterilization (as of food)
also
: partial or complete sterilization by irradiation
Examples of irradiation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
So none of the sapphires, garnets and spinels frequently seen in his gem portfolio are treated; heating and irradiation are just two of the treatments that the jewelry industry often uses to improve the color or durability of a gem.
—
Tanya Dukes, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Patients received low doses of chemotherapy and total body irradiation before the transplant, followed by other drugs for up to a year to prevent adverse reactions.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
The hot Neptune desert demonstrates how this concept is amplified as a planet gets nearer to the star and the stellar irradiation increases exponentially.
—Dakotah Tyler, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2025
The marijuana industry insists that irradiation is safe, but Eidem said there's no research on that with cannabis.
—Ben Markus - Colorado Public Radio, NPR, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irradiation
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Tanya Dukes, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Patients received low doses of chemotherapy and total body irradiation before the transplant, followed by other drugs for up to a year to prevent adverse reactions.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
The hot Neptune desert demonstrates how this concept is amplified as a planet gets nearer to the star and the stellar irradiation increases exponentially.
—Dakotah Tyler, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2025
The marijuana industry insists that irradiation is safe, but Eidem said there's no research on that with cannabis.
—Ben Markus - Colorado Public Radio, NPR, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irradiation
Cite this Entry
“Irradiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irradiation. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
irradiation
noun
ir·ra·di·a·tion
ir-ˌād-ē-ˈā-shən
1
a
: the radiation of a physiologically active agent from a point of origin within the body
especially
: the spread of a nerve impulse beyond the usual conduction path
b
: apparent enlargement of a light or bright object or surface when displayed against a dark background
2
a
: exposure to radiation (as X-rays or alpha particles)
b
: application of radiation (as X-rays or gamma rays) for therapeutic purposes or for sterilization (as of food)
3
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