bioluminescence
noun
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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
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Other Words from bioluminescence
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adjective
Examples of bioluminescence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The infamous anglerfish appears to use bioluminescence for both. — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, "Why Bioluminescence Evolved to Be Red Light, and Blue," 26 June 2018 Scientists will be at the beach to explain the bioluminescence from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday (May 9). — Gary Robbins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Go to Scripps Pier tonight to hear scientists explain why the ocean is glowing," 9 May 2018 The chemical signals come from bioluminescence, meaning that the robot is designed to sense the light from the bacteria. — John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, "How E. Coli Could Power a Predatory Robot," 17 July 2015 Biofluorescence is not to be confused with bioluminescence, in which animals produce their own light via a chemical reaction. — National Geographic, "See Amazing Ocean Creatures That ‘Glow’," 11 June 2018 The United States and the Soviet Union both investigated the phenomenon known as bioluminescence to gauge if it could be used to detect submarines underwater. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The U.S. and Soviet Union Once Investigated Bioluminescence as a Way to Track Submarines," 23 Jan. 2018 Once the target is identified, the bacteria metabolize it in a process that generates light through bioluminescence. — Karen Kaplan, latimes.com, "This futuristic pill senses signs of disease inside the body, then sends a wireless alert to a phone," 25 May 2018 People have been flocking to San Diego County beaches this week to watch breaking waves glow in the dark, a phenomenon called bioluminescence. — Gary Robbins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "You've got to see this new video of the surf glowing off La Jolla due to bioluminesence," 11 May 2018 The red tides are unpredictable and not all produce a bioluminescence. — CBS News, "Bioluminescence from red tide: Algae bloom literally lighting up San Diego waves at night," 9 May 2018These 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.
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More Definitions for bioluminescence
bioluminescence
noun
\
Medical Definition of bioluminescence
: the emission of light from living organisms also : the light so produced
Other Words from bioluminescence
\
adjective
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