reradiation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “reradiation” mean?
The process of radiating energy (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process of radiating energy (e.g., electromagnetic waves) again, especially after absorption or scattering.
Any subsequent or secondary emission of energy. In social contexts, it can metaphorically describe the redirection or redistribution of influence, information, or impact.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Spelling is identical. American English may use it slightly more in aerospace/defence contexts.
Connotations
Purely technical and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both, confined to specialised technical discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “reradiation” in a Sentence
the reradiation of [energy/heat/signal] from [source]reradiation by [object/material]to reduce/prevent/minimise reradiationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reradiation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The material will reradiate the absorbed infrared energy.
- The antenna was designed not to reradiate spurious signals.
American English
- The surface reradiates heat back into the atmosphere.
- The circuit was shielded to prevent it from reradiating interference.
adverb
British English
- The energy was reradiated efficiently.
- The signal was not reradiated coherently.
American English
- Heat is reradiated rapidly from the dark surface.
- The energy was reradiated isotropically.
adjective
British English
- The reradiation loss was calculated.
- They studied the satellite's reradiation properties.
American English
- The reradiation pattern was mapped.
- Improvements in reradiation efficiency were needed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in physics, climatology, and engineering papers discussing energy transfer.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core context. Used in radar technology, radio astronomy, thermal management, and climate science.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reradiation”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reradiation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reradiation”
- Misspelling as 're-radiation' (hyphen is occasionally used but the solid form is standard).
- Using it as a verb ('to reradiate' is the verb form).
- Confusing it with 'radiation' in general.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Reflection typically involves a direct bounce off a surface. Reradiation often implies absorption of energy by a material and its subsequent re-emission, possibly at different wavelengths or in different directions.
It is extremely rare. While one could metaphorically describe the spread of ideas as 'reradiation', it is not an established figurative use and would sound highly technical or forced.
The verb is 'to reradiate'.
It is a key component of the Earth's energy balance. The Earth absorbs solar radiation and then reradiates it as infrared (heat) radiation. Greenhouse gases affect how much of this reradiated heat escapes into space.
The process of radiating energy (e.
Reradiation is usually formal / technical in register.
Reradiation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriː.reɪ.diˈeɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌri.reɪ.diˈeɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'RE' + 'RADIATION' = Radiation given out AGAIN. Like a satellite absorbing solar heat and then RE-radiating it into space.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENERGY IS A FLUID THAT CAN BE RE-POURED. Information/Influence as reradiated waves.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'reradiation' MOST commonly used?