photophore

noun

pho·​to·​phore ˈfō-tə-ˌfȯr How to pronounce photophore (audio)
: a light-emitting organ
especially : one of the luminous spots on various marine mostly deep-sea fishes

Examples of photophore in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Though the undersea sighting may resolve the question of how the photophore works, other researchers wondered how the ram’s horn was able to hover vertically in the water column with the buoyant part of its body underneath it. Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Nov. 2020 Researchers noticed a few differences between the two fish, including fewer vertebrae and numerous light-producing photophores that cover most of the body, the report says. Ricky Pinela, orlandosentinel.com, 19 July 2019 Then there’s the world’s smallest shark, the six-inch lanternshark, which advertises its own goods via photophores (or light-producing organs) clustered around its reproductive organs. Liz Langley, National Geographic, 2 May 2019

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of photophore was in 1898

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Cite this Entry

“Photophore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photophore. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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