Primary
''radial'' ▫ᴱᴺ｜Definition｜1st｜20260320113731-00-⌔
radial - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
English
Adjective
radial (comparative more radial, superlative most radial)
- Arranged like rays that radiate from, or converge to, a common centre.
- ✤ The spokes on most modern bicycle wheels are tangential to the hub rather than radial.
- ✤ A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place. Applying a force tangential to the knob is essentially equivalent to applying one perpendicular to a radial line defining the lever.1
- (geometry) Of, or relating to a radius (line joining to a geometric centre).
- ✤ What is the relationship between arc length and radial length?
- Moving or acting along a radius.
- ✤ * radial velocity*
- (anatomy) Of, or relating to the radius bone.
- (entomology) Of, or relating to the radius (vein), and/or the wing areas next to it.
- (botany) Developing uniformly on all sides.
- (of a vehicle tyre) Having reinforcing cords placed in parallel across the tyre at 90 degrees to the direction of travel, especially as contrasted with cross-ply; see also radial tyre.
Noun
radial (plural radials)
- An item in a radial configuration, such as a spoke of a wheel.
- (in particular) One of a set of earthing wires arranged radially around the base of a wireless antenna.
- A radial tire/radial tyre.
- ✤ Let me have my toaster and my TV and my steel-belted radials and I won’t say anything. Just leave us alone.2
Etymology
From Medieval Latin radiālis (“radial”), from Latin radius. By surface analysis, radius + -al.
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈɹeɪdi.əl/
- Audio (Southern England): 🔊
Printed 2026-06-28.
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Secondary
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