fluorescence
Americannoun
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the emission of radiation, especially of visible light, by a substance during exposure to external radiation, as light or x-rays.
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the property possessed by a substance capable of such emission.
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the radiation so produced.
noun
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physics
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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
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such an emission of photons that ceases as soon as the bombarding radiation is discontinued
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such an emission of photons for which the average lifetime of the excited atoms and molecules is less than about 10 –8 seconds
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the radiation emitted as a result of fluorescence Compare phosphorescence
Discover More
“Black light” depends on fluorescence for its effects.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of fluorescence
1852; fluor(spar) + -escence, on the model of opalescence ( def. ), in reference to the mineral's newly discovered property
Vocabulary lists containing fluorescence
Earth Science - Middle School
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Rocks and Minerals - Introductory
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Physical Science - Energy - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Determining which molecule produces the glow could help explain how the fluorescence develops and whether it plays a meaningful role in salamander behavior or survival.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026
Animals with particularly sensitive vision may be able to detect the green and cyan fluorescence even when it is extremely faint.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026
By examining that fluorescence under a microscope, researchers can identify the paths taken by individual radiation particles.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026
These differences further complicate the task of translating fluorescence measurements into meaningful radiation data.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026
The hot exposed solar interior will flood the shell with ultraviolet light, inducing a lovely red and blue fluorescence extending beyond the orbit of Pluto.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
