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.
It achieved a solid-state fluorescence quantum yield greater than 60%.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 26, 2026
The research team used fluorescence imaging to monitor how semaglutide affected living brain tissue from mice.
From Science Daily ● May 25, 2026
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
“Don’t turn the light on—” she said hastily, fearing the harsh, knifing blast of fluorescence.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
