bioluminescence

[ bahy-oh-loo-muh-nes-uhns ]

noun
  1. the production of light by living organisms.

Origin of bioluminescence

1
First recorded in 1915–20; bio- + luminescence

Other words from bioluminescence

  • bi·o·lu·mi·nes·cent, adjective

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How to use bioluminescence in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bioluminescence

bioluminescence

/ (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

Derived forms of bioluminescence

  • bioluminescent, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for bioluminescence

bioluminescence

[ bī′ō-lōō′mə-nĕsəns ]


  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. Compare chemiluminescence.

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