bioluminescence

noun

bio·​lu·​mi·​nes·​cence ˌbī-ō-ˌlü-mə-ˈne-sᵊn(t)s 

: the emission of light from living organisms (such as fireflies, dinoflagellates, and bacteria) as the result of internal, typically oxidative chemical reactions

also : the light so produced

bioluminescent

ˌbī-ō-ˌlü-mə-ˈne-sᵊnt 

adjective

Examples of bioluminescence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The light is created by bioluminescence, a chemical reaction allowing the beetle to convert energy into light. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 11 June 2025

While some marine creatures produce their own light via bioluminescence, others can be illuminated by a blue light divers hold on fluo dives. —AFAR Media, 22 July 2025

And so the process of bioluminescence, being able to light yourself in the absence of sunlight, felt like the right symbol for all the things that the characters have to wrestle with in the novel. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 1 July 2025

That means that the bioluminescence that other creatures use to camouflage themselves can be distinguished. —Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 12 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bioluminescence

• acquiescence
• adolescence
• coalescence
• convalescence
• effervescence
• efflorescence
• evanescence
• incandescence
• inflorescence
• iridescence
• luminescence
• obsolescence

Medical Definition

bioluminescence

noun

bio·​lu·​mi·​nes·​cence ˌbī-ō-ˌlü-mə-ˈnes-ᵊn(t)s 

: the emission of light from living organisms

also : the light so produced

bioluminescent

-ᵊnt 

adjective