bioluminescence
noun
bio·lu·mi·nes·cence
ˌbī-ō-ˌlü-mə-ˈne-sᵊn(t)s 
: 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
Examples of bioluminescence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While some marine creatures produce their own light via bioluminescence, others can be illuminated by a blue light divers hold on fluo dives.
—
AFAR Media, 22 July 2025
And so the process of bioluminescence, being able to light yourself in the absence of sunlight, felt like the right symbol for all the things that the characters have to wrestle with in the novel.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 1 July 2025
That means that the bioluminescence that other creatures use to camouflage themselves can be distinguished.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 12 June 2025
Now, researchers at Mass General Brigham have made a breakthrough by mixing up the recipe for that chemical reaction, creating a bioluminescence diagnostic tool that's 515 times brighter and eight times more enduring than current models.
—Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bioluminescence
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AFAR Media, 22 July 2025
And so the process of bioluminescence, being able to light yourself in the absence of sunlight, felt like the right symbol for all the things that the characters have to wrestle with in the novel.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 1 July 2025
That means that the bioluminescence that other creatures use to camouflage themselves can be distinguished.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 12 June 2025
Now, researchers at Mass General Brigham have made a breakthrough by mixing up the recipe for that chemical reaction, creating a bioluminescence diagnostic tool that's 515 times brighter and eight times more enduring than current models.
—Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bioluminescence
Cite this Entry
“Bioluminescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bioluminescence. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
bioluminescence
noun
bio·lu·mi·nes·cence
ˌbī-ō-ˌlü-mə-ˈnes-ᵊn(t)s
: the emission of light from living organisms
also
: the light so produced
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