diurnal
of or relating to a day or each day; daily.
of or belonging to the daytime (opposed to nocturnal).
Botany. showing a periodic alteration of condition with day and night, as certain flowers that open by day and close by night.
active by day, as certain birds and insects (opposed to nocturnal).
Liturgy. a service book containing offices for the daily hours of prayer.
Archaic. a diary.
Archaic. a newspaper, especially a daily one.
Origin of diurnal
1Other words from diurnal
- di·ur·nal·ly, adverb
- di·ur·nal·ness, noun
- trans·di·ur·nal, adjective
- un·di·ur·nal, adjective
- un·di·ur·nal·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with diurnal
- diurnal , nocturnal
Words Nearby diurnal
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use diurnal in a sentence
I think future studies will reveal many plant species that are thought to be dependent on pollination by diurnal insects are indeed pollinated by nocturnal moths, to some extent.
Moths pollinate clover flowers at night, after bees have gone home | Jake Buehler | July 26, 2022 | Science NewsWith the help of a therapist, she developed a more diurnal schedule that allowed her to get work done while maintaining a social life.
The diurnal rotation of the Earth is effected round this axis.
Astronomy for Amateurs | Camille FlammarionHe accomplishes his diurnal revolution in less than ten hours!
Astronomy for Amateurs | Camille FlammarionA son of the first king suggested the plan of giving the sun diurnal movement and the changing light.
The Land of the Changing Sun | William N. Harben
Drymobius margaritiferus margaritiferus is diurnal and terrestrial; it feeds on frogs at the edges of breeding ponds by day.
Amphibians and Reptiles of the Rainforests of Southern El Peten, Guatemala | William E. DuellmanAll of these are diurnal, and all but Laemanctus have been observed sleeping on bushes at night.
Amphibians and Reptiles of the Rainforests of Southern El Peten, Guatemala | William E. Duellman
British Dictionary definitions for diurnal
/ (daɪˈɜːnəl) /
happening during the day or daily
(of flowers) open during the day and closed at night
(of animals) active during the day: Compare nocturnal
a service book containing all the canonical hours except matins
Origin of diurnal
1Derived forms of diurnal
- diurnally, adverb
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 diurnal
[ dī-ûr′nəl ]
Occurring once in a 24-hour period; daily.
Having a 24-hour cycle. The movement of stars and other celestial objects across the sky are diurnal.
Most active during the daytime. Many animals, including the apes, are diurnal.
Having leaves or flowers that open in daylight and close at night. The morning glory and crocus are diurnal. Compare nocturnal.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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