fluorescence

American  

[floo-res-uhns, flaw-, floh-] / flʊˈrɛs əns, flɔ-, floʊ- /

noun

Physics, Chemistry.

1. the emission of radiation, especially of visible light, by a substance during exposure to external radiation, as light or x-rays.

2. the property possessed by a substance capable of such emission.

3. the radiation so produced.

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fluorescence British  

/ ˌflʊəˈrɛsəns /

noun

1. physics

   1. the emission of light or other radiation from atoms or molecules that are bombarded by particles, such as electrons, or by radiation from a separate source. The bombarding radiation produces excited atoms, molecules, or ions and these emit photons as they fall back to the ground state

   2. such an emission of photons that ceases as soon as the bombarding radiation is discontinued

   3. such an emission of photons for which the average lifetime of the excited atoms and molecules is less than about 10 ^–8 seconds

2. the radiation emitted as a result of fluorescence Compare phosphorescence

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fluorescence Cultural  

1. The emission of light from an object as a result of bombardment by other kinds of electromagnetic radiation, such as x-rays or ultraviolet rays. Fluorescent materials may appear one color when bathed in visible light and another color when exposed to other kinds of electromagnetic radiation.

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Discover More

“Black light” depends on fluorescence for its effects.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonfluorescence
  noun

Etymology

Origin of fluorescence

1852; fluor(spar) + -escence, on the model of opalescence ( def. ), in reference to the mineral's newly discovered property

Example Sentences

The water-soluble, FDA-approved dye used by UltraGreen.ai for fluorescence imaging is considered a generic drug and falls under the current exemption, they say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Emerging portable testing methods include X-ray fluorescence analysers for turmeric and handheld DNA kits to test olive oil.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

These instruments measured fluorescence, which reflects energy released by phytoplankton when photosynthesis breaks down.

From Science Daily • Jan. 12, 2026

By combining kinetic modeling with fluorescence spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and infrared analysis, the team showed that each plastic type releases its own unique chemical mixture.

From Science Daily • Dec. 31, 2025

“Don’t turn the light on—” she said hastily, fearing the harsh, knifing blast of fluorescence.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols