fluorescence

noun

fluo·res·cence | \ flu̇-ˈre-sᵊn(t)s

, flȯ- \

Definition of fluorescence

: luminescence that is caused by the absorption of radiation at one wavelength followed by nearly immediate reradiation usually at a different wavelength and that ceases almost at once when the incident radiation stops also : the radiation emitted — compare phosphorescence

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About fluorescence

Examples of fluorescence in a Sentence

studied the fluorescence of certain elements

Recent Examples on the Web No halogen, no fluorescence, and no colored light, unless used sparingly and very, very chicly. — Tom Rasmussen, Vogue, 18 May 2022 Several types of quantum dots were tested on the silkworms for safety and fluorescence. — Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2022 The company is using ultra-high throughput fluorescence microscopy to measure individual base pairs, across billions of fragments of DNA placed in nanowells built into glass wafers. — Tom Coughlin, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2021 The chips fluoresce, and this fluorescence can be intensified or dimmed by nearby magnetic substances such as the cuticulosomes. — James Gaines | Inside Science, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2021 Between the years 2015 and 2020, for instance, BR-II’s fluorescence camera detected a massive increase in the amount of phytoplankton reaching the seafloor in big pulses. — Matt Simon, Wired, 12 Nov. 2021 Since only perfect rubies of exceptional saturation and natural red fluorescence are awarded this descriptor, pigeon’s blood stones are few and far between. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2021 Scientists have found similar fluorescence in some species of salamanders and frogs, corals, platypuses, wombats and flying squirrels. — Corryn Wetzel, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Aug. 2021 Using non-invasive infrared reflectography and macro X-ray fluorescence mapping, the researchers spent around 270 hours scanning the canvas in its entirety, per the blog post. — Nora Mcgreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Sep. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fluorescence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About fluorescence

Dictionary Entries Near fluorescence

fluorescein sodium

fluorescence

fluorescent

Statistics for fluorescence

Last Updated

27 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Fluorescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluorescence. Accessed 27 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for fluorescence

fluorescence

noun

flu·o·res·cence | \ -ˈes-ᵊn(t)s

Medical Definition of fluorescence

: luminescence that is caused by the absorption of radiation at one wavelength followed by nearly immediate reradiation usually at a different wavelength and that ceases almost immediately when the incident radiation stops also : the radiation emitted

Other Words from fluorescence

fluorescent \ -ˈes-ᵊnt

\ adjective

fluorescently adverb