phosphorescence

[ fos-fuh-res-uhns ]

noun

1. the property of being luminous at temperatures below incandescence, as from slow oxidation in the case of phosphorus or after exposure to light or other radiation.
2. a luminous appearance resulting from this.
3. any luminous radiation emitted from a substance after the removal of the exciting agent.

phosphorescence

/ ˌfɒsfəˈrɛsəns /

noun

1. physics
   1. a fluorescence that persists after the bombarding radiation producing it has stopped
   2. a fluorescence for which the average lifetime of the excited atoms is greater than 10 ^–8seconds
2. the light emitted in phosphorescence
3. the emission of light during a chemical reaction, such as bioluminescence, in which insufficient heat is evolved to cause fluorescence Compare fluorescence

Other Words From

• semi·phospho·rescence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphorescence¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; phosphoresc(ent) + -ence

Example Sentences

Abiotic minerals also emit their own light, called phosphorescence.

From Scientific American

But the phosphorescence of her work is not dimmed.

From New York Times

Visitors come for its “blue tears,” a phosphorescence in the waters caused by algae.

From Washington Post

Unfortunately, the phosphorescence also gives the sails the slightest green tinge in daylight.

From Washington Post

Afterward, the spectacle of “beautiful phosphorescence” signals “radioactive ionization of air.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beam
• blaze
• burst
• flame
• flare
• glare
• gleam
• glimmer
• glint
• glitter
• glow
• radiation
• ray
• reflection
• spark
• sparkle
• vision