scintillation
noun
scin·til·la·tion
ˌsin-tə-ˈlā-shən 
1
: an act or instance of scintillating
especially
: rapid changes in the brightness of a celestial body
2
a
: a spark or flash emitted in scintillating
b
: a flash of light produced in a phosphor by an ionizing event
3
: a brilliant outburst (as of wit)
4
: a flash of the eye
Examples of scintillation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The scintillation pattern indicates that the interstellar material of the source galaxy is acting a bit like a lens that is resolving the event.
—
John Timmer, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2025
More scintillation means an origin in the turbulent magnetic environment around the neutron star; no observed scintillation would mean an origin further from the neutron star, favoring the shockwave theory.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2025
Germanium semiconductor detectors, radioactive cesium concentration detectors, sodium iodide scintillation spectrometers and more scan the produce for any signs of radioactivity.
—Kate Graham-Shaw, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2024
While lacking some knowledge of the original source material may hinder the play’s clarity, the staccato rhythms iron out beautifully in a stunning second act that ties up every necessary loose end with scintillation.
—David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2024
The quality of light at the moment when totality begins is stupendous with an amazing show of iridescence, scintillation, and delicate colors.
—Michael E. Bakich, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2024
See the white or black spots flickering at the intersections in this image from Ninio's study? Blurred Hermann grids produce, as found by Bergen (1985), a scintillation effect.
—Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 12 Sep. 2016
This reaction produces a tiny amount of light—scintillation—which is measured by sensors and subsequently processed by computer algorithms.
—WIRED, 13 Jan. 2023
The strange state of affairs today is that one scintillation experiment—DAMA, located at Gran Sasso—has actually seen a signal.
—Lisa Randall, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2012
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John Timmer, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2025
More scintillation means an origin in the turbulent magnetic environment around the neutron star; no observed scintillation would mean an origin further from the neutron star, favoring the shockwave theory.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2025
Germanium semiconductor detectors, radioactive cesium concentration detectors, sodium iodide scintillation spectrometers and more scan the produce for any signs of radioactivity.
—Kate Graham-Shaw, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2024
While lacking some knowledge of the original source material may hinder the play’s clarity, the staccato rhythms iron out beautifully in a stunning second act that ties up every necessary loose end with scintillation.
—David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2024
The quality of light at the moment when totality begins is stupendous with an amazing show of iridescence, scintillation, and delicate colors.
—Michael E. Bakich, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2024
See the white or black spots flickering at the intersections in this image from Ninio's study? Blurred Hermann grids produce, as found by Bergen (1985), a scintillation effect.
—Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 12 Sep. 2016
This reaction produces a tiny amount of light—scintillation—which is measured by sensors and subsequently processed by computer algorithms.
—WIRED, 13 Jan. 2023
The strange state of affairs today is that one scintillation experiment—DAMA, located at Gran Sasso—has actually seen a signal.
—Lisa Randall, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2012
Dictionary Entries Near scintillation
Cite this Entry
“Scintillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scintillation. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
scintillation
noun
scin·til·la·tion
ˌsint-ᵊl-ˈā-shən
often attributive
: a flash of light produced in a phosphor by an ionizing event
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