-
Trending Now:
More Trending:
- beleaguer scaramouch non sequitur admiral's mast calumny
- ALL
Definition of bioluminescence
: the emission of light from living organisms (such as fireflies, dinoflagellates, and bacteria) as the result of internal, typically oxidative chemical reactions; also : the light so produced
Read the Latest from M-W
Recent Examples of bioluminescence from the Web
-
Voyage to the bottom of the sea and discover the world of bioluminescence — the secret light of the sea — at SeaWorld San Diego’s new nighttime show, Electric Ocean.
-
Some even create their own light through bioluminescence.
-
Bioluminescence is only visible on dark nights when the water is sufficiently warm, so tours do not operate in the week around a full moon and are only offered in summer months.
-
But be sure to return after dark, when the bioluminescence seems to make the plants come to life.
-
The Pandoran botany is much more impressive after dusk, when its glittering bioluminescence is lit up like a naturally-occurring Vegas.
-
But the chemicals involved in fungal bioluminescence may be more compatible with plants.
-
One shrimp species, Acanthephyra purpurea, takes on predators by hocking a cloud of ice-blue bioluminescence into the face of anything that gets too close.
-
Just like a burglar alarm goes off when danger is lurking in your home, there's a marine-dwelling organism that gives off a bioluminescence glow when agitated.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bioluminescence'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of bioluminescence
International Scientific Vocabulary
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about bioluminescence
-
Nglish: Translation of bioluminescence for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bioluminescence
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up bioluminescence? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!