photoperiod

[ foh-tuh-peer-ee-uhd ]

/ ˌfoʊ təˈpɪər i əd /

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noun Biology.

the interval in a 24-hour period during which a plant or animal is exposed to light.

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Origin of photoperiod

First recorded in 1915–20; photo- + period

OTHER WORDS FROM photoperiod

pho·to·pe·ri·od·ic

[foh-tuh-peer-ee-od-ik], /ˌfoʊ təˌpɪər iˈɒd ɪk/, pho·to·pe·ri·od·i·cal, adjectivepho·to·pe·ri·od·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby photoperiod

photo opportunity, photooxidation, photo-patch test, photopathy, photoperceptive, photoperiod, photoperiodism, photophilic, photophilous, photophobia, photophobic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use photoperiod in a sentence

Broad limits to functional reproductive activity seem to be set by the photoperiod—neuroendocrine system.
The Breeding Birds of Kansas|Richard F. Johnston
These captives had been kept for several months at a temperature of 21 degrees Centigrade, and on a daily photoperiod of 15 hours.
Comparative Ecology of Pinyon Mice and Deer Mice in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado|Charles L. Douglas
The mice were kept in a room in which temperature and photoperiod were controlled.
Comparative Ecology of Pinyon Mice and Deer Mice in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado|Charles L. Douglas
In general, Tb's showed a marked circadian cycle in phase with photoperiod.
Metabolic Adaptation to Climate and Distribution of the Raccoon Procyon Lotor and Other Procyonidae|John N. Mugaas

British Dictionary definitions for photoperiod

photoperiod

/ (ˌfəʊtəʊˈpɪərɪəd) /

noun

the period of daylight in every 24 hours, esp in relation to its effects on plants and animalsSee also photoperiodism

Derived forms of photoperiod

photoperiodic, adjectivephotoperiodically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for photoperiod

photoperiod

[ fō′tō-pîr′ē-əd ]

The duration of an organism's daily exposure to light, considered especially with regard to the effect of such exposure on growth and development.

Other words from photoperiod

pho′to•pe′ri•od′ic (-ŏd′ĭk) null adj.

Scientific definitions for photoperiod

photoperiod

[ fō′tō-pîr′ē-əd ]

The duration of an organism's daily exposure to light, considered especially with regard to the phenomena of photoperiodism.