fluorescence

fluo·res·cence | \ flu̇-ˈre-sᵊn(t)s

How to pronounce fluorescence (audio)

, 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

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Examples of fluorescence in a Sentence

studied the fluorescence of certain elements

Recent Examples on the Web Marine fluorescence exists in a variety of marine organisms, in temperate and tropical waters. — Smithsonian, "Amazing Photos Reveal the Hidden Light of Undersea Life," 25 July 2019 During their research, Gruber and his colleagues realized the molecule responsible for the fluorescence was only in the light skin. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "These sharks glow bright green in the dark," 8 Aug. 2019 Researchers don't know as much about the role of fluorescence in fish. — Fox News, "Stunning photo uncovers 'hidden light' of life deep in the ocean," 30 July 2019 Michiels’s team surveyed hundreds of fish species for fluorescence and found distinct patterns. — Smithsonian, "Amazing Photos Reveal the Hidden Light of Undersea Life," 25 July 2019 The brightest protein, called AausFP1, was nearly five times brighter than GFP that had been enhanced for more powerful fluorescence. — Eva Frederick, Science | AAAS, "This jellyfish makes glowing proteins previously unknown to science," 19 July 2019 On Monday, a macro X-ray fluorescence scanner began taking a series of images, said Petria Noble, Head of Paintings Conservation at the Rijksmuseum. — Washington Post, "Research, restoration begins on Rembrandt’s ‘Night Watch’," 8 July 2019 This time around, trainees may test out tools such as handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometers (to analyze the elemental composition of rocks) and flying drones (to help scout the terrain ahead of them). — Los Angeles Times, "How NASA’s Apollo program turned military test pilots into lunar geologists," 19 July 2019 Those cultures release a robin's egg fluorescence that indicates the presence of bacteria. — Maddy Lauria, baltimoresun.com, "At Delaware's beaches, scientists test waters for signs of fecal bacteria," 9 June 2019

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.

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Dictionary Entries near fluorescence

fluorescein sodium

fluorescent brightener

fluorescent lamp

Statistics for fluorescence

Last Updated

26 Oct 2019

Time Traveler for fluorescence

The first known use of fluorescence was in 1852

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