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    radiation

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    radiation
    ra‧di‧a‧tion /ˌreɪdiˈeɪʃən/ 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.
         
    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.