Emanationsomething that comes out from a source or is released from it is a noun that can refer to the act of something flowing out or being given off, or to the thing that is given off. In theologythe study of religious belief and the nature of God, it can also mean the originationthe act or process of beginning or coming into existence of the Holy Spirit.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌɛməˈneɪʃən/
Easy pronunciation: eh-muh-NAY-shun (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on NAY; four syllables.
Use this for the noun meaning the act of giving off or sending out something.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Emanation Meaning
the act of giving off or sending out something
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the act of emitting; causing to flow forth
Example: The device produces an emanation of heat.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- emission — Direct synonym for the act of giving off something.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Emanation
Meaning 2
something that comes out or is given off
Part of speech: noun
Definition: something that is emitted or radiated (as a gas or an odor or a light, etc.)
Example: There was a strange emanation from the old machine.
Meaning 3
the coming forth of the Holy Spirit in Christian theology
Part of speech: noun
Definition: (theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
Example: the emanation of the Holy Spirit
Synonyms for this meaning:
- procession — Theological term that can match this sense in some contexts.
- rise — Listed source synonym, but it is less precise and not a general substitute.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Emanation Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- emission
theological sense
- procession
- rise
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Don’t confuse emanation (something given off or the act of giving off) with elimination.
- In theology, emanation is a specialized term and should not be used as a general synonym for ordinary 'coming from' or 'origin.'
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does emanation mean?
Emanation usually means the act of giving off something, or the thing that is given off. In theology, it can also refer to the origination of the Holy Spirit.
What are the synonyms of emanation?
For the main everyday sense, the best synonym is emission. In the theological sense, procession may fit, and rise appears in the supplied data but is not a common everyday substitute.
Is emanation a common word?
It is not a very common everyday word. You are more likely to see it in formal writing, technical contexts, or theology.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
