bioluminescence

American  

[bahy-oh-loo-muh-nes-uhns] / ˌbaɪ oʊˌlu məˈnɛs əns /

noun

1. the production of light by living organisms.

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bioluminescence British  

/ ˌbaɪəʊˌluːmɪˈnɛsəns /

noun

1. the production of light by living organisms as a result of the oxidation of a light-producing substance (luciferin) by the enzyme luciferase: occurs in many marine organisms, insects such as the firefly, etc

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bioluminescence Scientific  

/ bī′ō-lo̅o̅′mə-nĕs′əns /

1. The emission of light by living organisms, such as fireflies, glowworms, and certain fish, jellyfish, plankton, fungi, and bacteria. It occurs when a pigment (usually luciferin) is oxidized without giving off heat. Although it is believed that bioluminescence is involved in animal communication, its function in many organisms has yet to be understood. Bioluminescence is a form of chemiluminescence.

2. Compare chemiluminescence

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Other Word Forms

• bioluminescent
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of bioluminescence

First recorded in 1915–20; bio- + luminescence

Explanation

Bioluminescence is light emitted by a living organism. There's something magical about the bioluminescence of a valley full of fireflies on a summer night. Fireflies may be the most familiar example of bioluminescence, but plenty of other animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria also have the ability to generate a glowing light. Most of these organisms live in the deepest part of the ocean, including jellyfish, about half of which use bioluminescence to defend themselves against predators. The bio- part of the word means "living thing," and luminescence is from the Latin root lumen, or "light."

Example Sentences

"In the way fluorescence works, you shine light beams at something, and you get a different wavelength of light beams back," said Moore, who directs the Bioluminescence Hub.

From Science Daily • Dec. 19, 2025

Bioluminescence is when a _______________ thing gives off a glow.

From NewsForKids.net • Jan. 19, 2024

Bioluminescence imaging, that mimics the fireflies glow, is frequently used in scientific research for mapping diseases, such as cancer or other health conditions.

From Salon • Sep. 21, 2023

Bioluminescence is an example of convergent evolution; 30 distinct lineages have acquired this characteristic, and all involve some form of a class of molecules called luciferins.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Bioluminescence is so common in the oceans that it ranks as one of Earth’s dominant ecological traits.

From New York Times • Aug. 22, 2017