rad

1 of 3

noun

: a unit of absorbed dose of ionizing radiation equal to an energy of 100 ergs per gram of irradiated material

rad

2 of 3

adjective

rad

3 of 3

abbreviation

1
radian
2
radius
3
radix

Examples of rad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Take this as an opportunity to infuse style into your home with a grouping of rad rattan planters, which showcase your plants while not making the room feel overly busy. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024 The Westin Tempe stands out with its elegant rooms and a rooftop deck perched 18 stories high above the city (rad rooftops are a thing in Tempe!); the deck features a pool, Jacuzzi, and Skysill lounge, where guests can enjoy panoramic views and exquisite craft cocktails. Sunset Magazine, 26 Dec. 2023 And, of course, tip of the headband to Gosling for his totally rad performance. Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023 If there’s anybody out there with a cool $10 million, that would be rad. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Oct. 2023 And the convenience of having this in your neighborhood – my neighborhood -- is pretty rad. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 14 Aug. 2023 Doesn’t matter if your band is like the fifth or sixth biggest in the world, and by far the most rad. Bart Bull, Spin, 8 Aug. 2023 But dipping an already rad Celia’s birria taco into consommé elevates the taste and satisfaction to saturation. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 17 July 2023 There's also some wording about not driving around with your dog on the roof or standing on the hood of your car, no matter how rad your dog is. Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, 21 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rad.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

radiation absorbed dose

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1953, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rad was circa 1953

Dictionary Entries Near rad

Cite this Entry

“Rad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rad. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

rad

1 of 2 noun
: a unit of absorbed dose of ionizing radiation equal to an energy of 100 ergs per gram of irradiated material

rad

2 of 2 abbreviation
root
used in writing prescriptions
Etymology

Abbreviation

Latin radix

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