emit

verb

ē-ˈmit How to pronounce emit (audio)
emitted; emitting
Synonyms of emit

transitive verb

1
a
: to throw or give off or out
emit light/heat
b
: to send out : eject
2
a
: to issue with authority
especially : to put (something, such as money) into circulation
b
obsolete : publish
3
: to give utterance or voice to
emitted a groan
emitter noun

Synonyms of emit

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Examples of emit in a Sentence

The telescope can detect light emitted by distant galaxies. chimneys emitting thick, black smoke The brakes emitted a loud squeal.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The grants would provide $100,000 to family farmers who turn their farm in two years from a CO2-emitting operation into a CO2-capturing operation. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Unlike a conventional light-emitting display, E Ink’s technology reflects ambient light. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026 The work focuses on a loss mechanism known as Boltzmann loss, which occurs because a material that absorbs light can also emit it. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026 On this, too, Brazil has electoral laws that ban AI tools from ranking candidates or emitting opinions. — Constance Malleret, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for emit

Word History

Etymology

Latin emittere to send out, from e- + mittere to send

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of emit was in 1598

Phrases Containing emit

Rhymes for emit

See All Rhymes for emit

Browse Nearby Words

emissivity
emit
emittance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emit. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

emit

verb
ē-ˈmit How to pronounce emit (audio)
emitted; emitting
1
a
: to throw or give off or out
emit light
b
: to send out : eject
2
: utter entry 2 sense 1
emit a groan
Etymology

from Latin emittere "to send out," from e-, ex- "out, forth" and mittere "to send, throw" — related to dismiss, message, missile, transmit

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