phototaxis

or pho·to·tax·y

[ foh-tuh-tak-sis ]

noun

, Biology.

1. movement of an organism toward or away from a source of light.

phototaxis

/ ˌfəʊtəʊˈtæksɪs; ˌfəʊtəʊˈtæktɪk /

noun

1. the movement of an entire organism in response to light

Derived Forms

• phototactic, adjective

Other Words From

• pho·to·tac·tic [foh-t, uh, -, tak, -tik], adjective
• photo·tacti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of phototaxis¹

First recorded in 1900–05; photo- + -taxis

Example Sentences

When the dark and gray recede, it sometimes seems as if the city has turned into a giant experiment in positive phototaxis, every organism drawn inexorably toward the light.

From New York Times

Phototaxis drew flies out of the elevator.

From Nature