photoactivation

[ foh-toh-ak-tuh-vey-shuhn ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. the activation or control of a chemical, chemical reaction, or organism by light, as the activation of chlorophyll by sunlight during photosynthesis.

Other Words From

• photo·active adjective
• photo·ac·tivi·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of photoactivation¹

1920–25; photo- + activation ( def )