WordGarden.ioemitter
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪmˈɪtə/
US
- /ɪˈmɪtər/
Meanings
Noun
a person, company, or country that releases gases or pollutants into the environment
a device or source that gives off light, heat, sound, particles, or radiation
a software object or component that sends events, signals, or data
More meaningsFewer meanings
the terminal or region of a transistor from which charge carriers are emitted
Beyond the definition
An emitter is anything that gives off something, such as light, heat, particles, or signals. Think of a lighthouse as a source of bright beams guiding ships. Or consider a radio station; it sends out radio waves that bring music to your ears.
The word comes from the idea of "emitting," which means sending something out. In science and technology, the term is common: an old television tube had a part that released electrons, and a heater can be described as something that gives off warmth. You may also see the word used in a loose, playful way for a person who seems to spread a certain mood, such as negativity.
The word "emitter" refers to something that releases or discharges energy, particles, waves, or signals. It's the source from which something originates and spreads outward.
In physics and engineering, emitters are common. A light emitter, such as a bulb or LED, produces light. A heat emitter gives off thermal energy. In electronics, "emitter" can also name one part of a transistor. These technical uses usually involve something being released, sent, or spread from a source.
However, "emitter" isn't limited to scientific contexts. It can be used more broadly to describe anything that gives off something intangible. A popular musician might be called an "emitter of good vibes," suggesting they spread positivity through their music. A factory could be described as an emitter of pollution if it releases harmful substances into the environment.
The idea is about source and outward movement. Whatever is being emitted starts there and moves outward, affecting its surroundings. So whether you're talking about radio waves, heat, light, pollution, or even a person's mood, an emitter is simply the thing that sends it out into the world.
Examples
- 1
Everyday device
The TV remote stopped working because its infrared emitter was loose.
- 2
Climate emissions
The factory is one of the region's biggest carbon emitters.
- 3
Electronics
In this transistor, the emitter is connected to ground.
- Domain
in electronics, the emitter is one of the three main parts of a transistor
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- emitternoun