incandescence
Americannoun
-
the emission of visible light by a body, caused by its high temperature.
-
the light produced by such an emission.
-
the quality of being incandescent.
noun
-
the emission of light by a body as a consequence of raising its temperature Compare luminescence
-
the light produced by raising the temperature of a body
-
The emission of visible light from a substance or object as a result of heating it to a high temperature. The color of the light emitted from solids and liquids is a function of their chemical structure and their temperature; the higher the temperature, the more intense and even the distribution of frequencies is (that is, higher temperatures create brighter and whiter light than lower temperatures).
-
Compare fluorescence See also blackbody radiation
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of incandescence
First recorded in 1650–60; incandesc(ent) + -ence
Explanation
Incandescence is the light from heat. A fireplace adds a warm incandescence to a house in the winter. The glow of a fire is known as incandescence. If you see a shooting star, the bright light is due to incandescence. When you have a good idea, a cartoon light bulb goes on over your head – incandescence can refer to that kind of lighting up, too, like a brilliant idea that sheds light on something. If someone has a thousand-watt smile, that’s incandescence. Any time something lights up from heat, physically or emotionally, it produces incandescence.
Vocabulary lists containing incandescence
The Pearl
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Power Suffix: -escence
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Physical Science - Energy - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
“Spots of incandescence may remain near the vent, along channels, and at the flow front for days or weeks as the lava flows cool,” the observatory’s activity summary said.
From Washington Times • Dec. 13, 2022
But a shadow fell across the universe as matter cooled from its early incandescence and relatively simple initial conditions advanced into intricate complexity.
From Scientific American • Jul. 1, 2022
But by the time he’s sitting there in one of this country’s primo landmarks of improvisation, innovation and artistic introspection — of incandescence and intensity — Carmichael no longer seemed to be doing a routine.
From New York Times • Apr. 19, 2022
Only half-listening to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s tale of sin and repentance, she saw a pillar of light slice down, as if piercing through the ceiling, and felt as if she melted into the incandescence.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2022
For she never grasped—not at any rate with her mind—what, with such incandescence, he tried to tell her on these Saturday afternoons.
From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin
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.
