bioluminescent

American  

[bahy-oh-loo-muh-nes-uhnt] / ˌbaɪ oʊˌlu məˈnɛs ənt /

adjective

1. Biochemistry. relating to or characterized by bioluminescence.

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Explanation

Organisms that can create their own light are bioluminescent. Though they're endangered, there are still many places in the world you can see bioluminescent fireflies blinking brightly in the dark. A firefly or lightning bug's illumination is generated in its abdomen, where a chemical reaction produces photons that transmit light. The process varies among the many marine animals, fungi, and bacteria that are bioluminescent. A glowing squid native to the Pacific Ocean gets help from bioluminescent bacteria living inside its body, for example. Bio- means "relating to a living thing," and luminescent derives from the Latin lumen, "light."

Example Sentences

"Lantern sharks are bioluminescent, with light produced by photophores located on their belly and flanks, which is where their common name comes from," Dr Will White, a fish scientist, said.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025

"Lanternsharks are bioluminescent, with light produced by photophores located on their belly and flanks, which is where their common name comes from," Dr White said.

From Science Daily • Oct. 8, 2025

Then, the creatures of the deep sea began dazzling the crew with a striking display of bioluminescent lights, emitting signals to one another as they encountered this new strange object in their habitat.

From Salon • May 21, 2025

A pungent, fishy odor has been wafting through the air by Los Angeles’ shore this week, an unfortunate consequence of beautiful bioluminescent algae.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2024

She loves to imagine Darwin at night, leaning over the ship’s rail to stare into bioluminescent waves, watching the tracks of penguins marked by fiery green wakes.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr