ra ‧ di ‧ a ‧ tion /ˌreɪdiˈeɪʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
1 . a form of energy that comes especially from ↑ nuclear reactions, which in large amounts is very harmful to living things:
An accident at the power station could result in large amounts of radiation being released.
a lethal dose of radiation
2 . energy in the form of heat or light that is sent out as waves that you cannot see:
Sun creams work by blocking harmful ultraviolet radiation.
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1 & 2)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + radiation
▪ nuclear radiation
Nuclear radiation has a devastating effect on living cells.
▪ solar radiation (=from the sun)
How can solar radiation be trapped and used?
▪ cosmic radiation (=from space)
The spacecraft is fitted with a shield to block cosmic radiation.
▪ ultraviolet/infra-red radiation (=from the light produced by the sun)
Ultraviolet radiation damages DNA in plants.
▪ gamma/alpha/beta radiation technical (=radiation given off by the atomic matter of gamma, alpha, or beta rays)
The conventional treatment for cancer is to bombard the tumour with gamma radiation.
▪ background radiation (=the radiation normally present in the environment)
In some parts of the world, background radiation is very high.
■ radiation + NOUN
▪ a radiation leak
A radiation leak occurred at a Russian nuclear power station.
▪ radiation levels
The background radiation level was normal.
■ verbs
▪ give off radiation ( also emit radiation formal ) (=produce it)
The lamps emit ultra-violet radiation.
▪ absorb radiation
It is thought that a black hole absorbs any solar radiation that reaches it.
▪ be exposed to radiation (=be put in a situation where you are not protected from harmful radiation, especially nuclear radiation )
The servicemen claimed they were illegally exposed to radiation during atomic tests.
■ phrases
▪ a dose of radiation (=an amount of radiation that someone experiences)
Workers at the site received high doses of radiation.
▪ exposure to radiation (=when someone is near to a substance that gives off harmful radiation, especially nuclear radiation)
One cause of leukaemia is exposure to radiation.