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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luminescent

play \ˌlü-mə-ˈne-sᵊnt\ adjective

See luminescence defined for English-language learners

See luminescence defined for kids

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 of luminescence from the Web

The mountains and hills are at their prettiest now...the hardwoods, the pines, even the weeds take on a luminescence that will shimmer into summer, till the heat itself makes the landscape fade.

— Southern Living, "The Gift of Loafering," 1 May 2017
For all the darkness at its core — a darkness made literal in its ghostly conclusion — a bright light shines forth from it, the blazing luminescence of collective artistic achievement.

— charles isherwood, New York Times, "Review: ‘The Humans,’ a Family Thanksgiving for a Fearful Middle Class OCT. 25, 2015," 18 Feb. 2016
Before the race, Musco checks light levels by mounting a luminescence meter to a pace car and driving the course.

— ben paynter, WIRED, "Lighting F1 Racing’s First Twilight Run," 1 Nov. 2011

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.

Origin and Etymology of luminescence

International Scientific Vocabulary lumin- + -escence

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1889

See Words from the same year

luminescence Synonyms

LUMINESCENCE Defined for English Language Learners

luminescence

noun

Definition of luminescence for English Language Learners

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

Medical 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

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