incandescence

noun

in·​can·​des·​cence ˌin-kən-ˈde-sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce incandescence (audio)
 also  -(ˌ)kan-
: the quality or state of being incandescent
especially : emission by a hot body of radiation that makes it visible

Examples of incandescence in a Sentence

candles made from whale oil were once highly prized because they burned with an incandescence superior to that of other candles
Recent Examples on the Web
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Meanwhile, the oscillating levels of incandescence brought to mind historical artworks not unlike the ones Pashgian encountered while studying art history at Columbia, Boston College, and Harvard before returning home in the mid-‘60s to focus on making work of her own. Tara Anne Dalbow, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2024 The boy debates the merit of each name: on the one hand, chrysalides are green and hard and prone to explode in riots of incandescence; on the other, parrots are green, loud, and obnoxious. Beth Bachmann, The New Yorker, 25 July 2024 This profile from Alexis Bloom and Svetlana Zill is a bid to reclaim the valuable heat of Pallenberg’s incandescence, while never shielding viewers from her life’s lasting burn marks. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2024 Last week, obvious incandescence was noted at the summit, along with strong, persistent fumarolic activity. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 20 Nov. 2019 See all Example Sentences for incandescence 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of incandescence was circa 1656

Dictionary Entries Near incandescence

Cite this Entry

“Incandescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incandescence. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

incandescence

noun
in·​can·​des·​cence ˌin-kən-ˈdes-ᵊn(t)s How to pronounce incandescence (audio)
: the glowing of a substance due to its high temperature

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