phosphorescence

noun

phos·​pho·​res·​cence ˌfäs-fə-ˈre-sᵊn(t)s 

1

: luminescence that is caused by the absorption of radiations (such as light or electrons) and continues for a noticeable time after these radiations have stopped compare fluorescence

2

: an enduring luminescence without sensible heat

Examples of phosphorescence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All glow-in-the-dark toys, stickers, paint, coatings in fluorescent lamps, cathode-ray tube TVs, and some clock dials rely on phosphorescence. — ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026

All night, the fog had stubbornly hidden the stars in the dark, impenetrable sky, but now the sliver of light widened little by little into a luminous band, a hazy phosphorescence that slowly spread and took over. — Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026

Words, no longer my own, expressing the son’s transfiguration, generated a kind of phosphorescence. — Patti Smith, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2025

By measuring how quickly this light fades (that is, its phosphorescence lifetime), the researchers could calculate pO2 at the capillary level. — New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2025

When D’Silva signaled to turn off the flashlights and thrash our arms around, the blackness transformed into a beautiful cloud of luminous phosphorescence. — Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2025

Bioluminescence requires a chemical reaction within a living organism, while bio phosphorescence is the result of absorbing light from an outside source, then re-emitting it. — Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 19 May 2025

The sun had set, but now the lake was full of phosphorescence so all the movement in the water left sparkling tracers. — Hazlitt, 13 Nov. 2024

The vaporous mist of the morning dew is really the phosphorescence of toxic radiation. — Jeff Weiss, Spin, 21 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for phosphorescence

• acquiescence
• adolescence
• coalescence
• convalescence
• effervescence
• efflorescence
• evanescence
• incandescence
• inflorescence
• iridescence
• luminescence
• obsolescence

Kids Definition

phosphorescence

noun

phos·​pho·​res·​cence ˌfäs-fə-ˈres-ᵊn(t)s 

1

: a light given off at low temperatures that is caused by the absorption of radiations (as X-rays or ultraviolet light) and continuing for a noticeable time after these radiations have stopped

2

: an enduring light given off with little heat

Medical Definition

phosphorescence

noun

phos·​pho·​res·​cence -ˈres-ᵊn(t)s 

1

: luminescence that is caused by the absorption of radiation at one wavelength followed by delayed reradiation at a different wavelength and that continues for a noticeable time after the incident radiation stops

2

: an enduring luminescence without sensible heat