luminescence

noun

lu·​mi·​nes·​cence ˌlü-mə-ˈne-sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce luminescence (audio)
: the low-temperature emission of light (as by a chemical or physiological process)
also : light produced by luminescence
luminescent adjective

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 Second only to Lynskey in luminescence in this movie is Wood, whose Tony named his dog Kevin and specializes in nunchucks and ninja stars. EW.com, 18 Jan. 2024 The primary technique that helped the team hone in on a date range was luminescence dating. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Jan. 2024 Under the sapphire crystal lay white-gold hour markers, hands coated in black nickel with yellow luminescence, and a tachymeter scale. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Jan. 2024 Ironically, the Depression-era setting makes the film seem far less dated than other movies from 1973, and the binary star system at its center has lost not one photon of its luminescence. Ty Burr, Washington Post, 25 Dec. 2023 Highlighter applied to the inner corners of the eyes and just above the Cupid’s bow offers your look an angelic luminescence. 5. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2023 The team used new luminescence dating techniques to reveal an object’s age. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 20 Sep. 2023 Researchers dated the Lincoln Log structure using new luminescence techniques which test how much time has passed since a soil sample received light. Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 25 Sep. 2023 The six share a common characteristic of Indonesian co-production and a recurring theme of luminescence. Patrick Frater, Variety, 26 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'luminescence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary lumin- + -escence

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of luminescence was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near luminescence

Cite this Entry

“Luminescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luminescence. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

luminescence

noun
lu·​mi·​nes·​cence ˌlü-mə-ˈnes-ᵊn(t)s How to pronounce luminescence (audio)
: the giving off of light at low temperatures especially as part of a chemical process (as of the body)
also : such light

Medical Definition

luminescence

noun
lu·​mi·​nes·​cence ˌlü-mə-ˈnes-ᵊn(t)s How to pronounce luminescence (audio)
: 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
luminesce intransitive verb
luminesced; luminescing
luminescent adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on luminescence

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