variants
or less commonly phosphore
ˈfäs-ˌfȯr 
-fər
1
: a phosphorescent substance
2
: a luminescent substance that emits light when excited by radiation (such as electrons) and is used especially in fluorescent lamps and cathode-ray tubes
Examples of phosphor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To make the fluorescent succulents, the team injected the plants with phosphor particles that can absorb energy from light at one wavelength, store some of it, and then re-emit it at another wavelength, similar to how glow-in-the-dark paint works.
—
Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
August's list includes a 3D digital reconstruction of the Shroud of Turin; injecting succulent leaves with phosphors to create plants that glow in different colors; a nifty shape-changing antenna; and snails with a unique ability to grow back their eyeballs.
—ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2025
The afterglow phosphor compound – which is similar to those found in glow-in-the-dark toys – is inexpensive, biocompatible, and negates the need for more complex methods of infusing bioluminescence in plants, like genetic modification.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2025
Afterglow phosphor particles absorb light and then release it slowly over time.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2025
Epson rates its laser-phosphor light source at 4,500 ISO lumens and as having a 20,000-hour life at full power.
—PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025
These tubes send light to a photocathode tube, producing electrons; these electrons are then accelerated onto a phosphor screen, creating an image.
—Matt Morris, Space.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Unlike traditional luminous materials that rely on a single type of phosphorescent compound, Ming Polar White incorporates a carefully balanced blend of multiple phosphors.
—Bhanu Chopra, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
Manufacturers coated the back of the glass with tiny phosphor dots that glowed red, green or blue when struck by electron beams from the tube.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
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Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
August's list includes a 3D digital reconstruction of the Shroud of Turin; injecting succulent leaves with phosphors to create plants that glow in different colors; a nifty shape-changing antenna; and snails with a unique ability to grow back their eyeballs.
—ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2025
The afterglow phosphor compound – which is similar to those found in glow-in-the-dark toys – is inexpensive, biocompatible, and negates the need for more complex methods of infusing bioluminescence in plants, like genetic modification.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2025
Afterglow phosphor particles absorb light and then release it slowly over time.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2025
Epson rates its laser-phosphor light source at 4,500 ISO lumens and as having a 20,000-hour life at full power.
—PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025
These tubes send light to a photocathode tube, producing electrons; these electrons are then accelerated onto a phosphor screen, creating an image.
—Matt Morris, Space.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Unlike traditional luminous materials that rely on a single type of phosphorescent compound, Ming Polar White incorporates a carefully balanced blend of multiple phosphors.
—Bhanu Chopra, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
Manufacturers coated the back of the glass with tiny phosphor dots that glowed red, green or blue when struck by electron beams from the tube.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Phosphor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphor. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
phosphor
noun
phos·phor
ˈfäs-fər
-ˌfȯ(ə)r
: a substance exhibiting phosphorescence
Medical Definition
phosphor
noun
phos·phor
ˈfäs-fər, -ˌfȯ(ə)r
variants
also phosphore
: a phosphorescent substance
specifically
: a substance that emits light when excited by radiation
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