luminescence

noun

lu·mi·nes·cence | \ ˌlü-mə-ˈne-sᵊn(t)s

Definition of luminescence

: the low-temperature emission of light (as by a chemical or physiological process) also : light produced by luminescence

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Examples of luminescence in a Sentence

the luminescence of the watch we could see inside the cave even without a flashlight because of the luminescence coming from some of the fungus on the walls

Recent Examples on the Web Her engagement ring is almost as dazzling as the mega screens in Times Square that create a daylight-like luminescence long after sunset. — Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Dec. 2021 More than one contemporary in Hollywood noted that her magic truly showed up only on celluloid, like a ghostly luminescence undetectable until the film was developed. — Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2021 As a result, PRF decreases dark spots, improves texture, and provides a longer-lasting luminescence on the skin. — Kaitlin Clark, Allure, 1 Nov. 2021 Scientists are also using megalibraries to identify structures with important physical properties like magnetism, luminescence and high-temperature superconductivity. — Chad Mirkin, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2021 This was observable in his inhabitation of the arrangement from the stage: a full-body and full-bodied understanding of Ravel’s rolling dreamscape, its colorful flights of fancy, its spellbinding chordal luminescence, its assorted cataclysms. — Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2021 Optically stimulated luminescence dates of the sediments around the teeth and bones suggest the Neanderthals lived between 49,000 and 59,000 years ago. — Ann Gibbons, Science | AAAS, 16 June 2021 Optically stimulated luminescence testing showed the crystals were last exposed to sunlight about 1,000 years ago. — David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2021 Optically stimulated luminescence is a dating technique that measures when quartz or feldspar grains within the soil were last exposed to light or heat. — Alex Schoeman, Quartz, 29 May 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'luminescence.' 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 luminescence

luminesce

luminescence

luminescent paint

Statistics for luminescence

Last Updated

27 Dec 2021

Cite this Entry

“Luminescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luminescence. Accessed 18 Jan. 2022.

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More Definitions for luminescence

luminescence

noun

English Language Learners Definition of luminescence

: the creation of light by processes that do not involve heat also : the light created

See the full definition for luminescence in the English Language Learners Dictionary

luminescence

noun

lu·mi·nes·cence | \ ˌlü-mə-ˈnes-ᵊn(t)s

Medical Definition of luminescence

: the low-temperature emission of light produced especially by physiological processes (as in the firefly), by chemical action, by friction, or by electrical action also : light produced by luminescence

Other Words from luminescence

luminesce \ -ˈnes

\ intransitive verb luminesced; luminescing

luminescent \ -ᵊnt

\ adjective