chemiluminescence

[ kem-uh-loo-muh-nes-uh ns ]
/ ˌkɛm əˌlu məˈnɛs əns /

noun

(in chemical reactions) the emission of light by an atom or molecule that is in an excited state.

Origin of chemiluminescence

First recorded in 1900–05; chemi- + luminescence

OTHER WORDS FROM chemiluminescence

chem·i·lu·mi·nes·cent, adjective

Words nearby chemiluminescence

chemical toner, chemical warfare, chemical weathering, chemico-, chemigraphy, chemiluminescence, chemin de fer, chemiosmosis, chemise, chemisette, chemism

Example sentences from the Web for chemiluminescence

  • Moreover, as we have seen, chemiluminescence is essentially an oxyluminescence, since oxygen is necessary for the reaction.

    The Nature of Animal Light |E. Newton Harvey

British Dictionary definitions for chemiluminescence

chemiluminescence
/ (ˌkɛmɪˌluːmɪˈnɛsəns) /

noun

the phenomenon in which a chemical reaction leads to the emission of light without incandescence

Derived forms of chemiluminescence

chemiluminescent, adjective

Scientific definitions for chemiluminescence

chemiluminescence
[ kĕm′ə-lōō′mə-nĕs′əns ]

The emission of light by a substance as a result of undergoing a chemical reaction that does not involve an increase in its temperature. Chemiluminescence usually occurs when a highly oxidized molecule, such as a peroxide, reacts with another molecule. The bond between the two oxygen atoms in a peroxide is relatively weak, and when it breaks the atoms must reorganize themselves, releasing energy in the form of light. Compare bioluminescence.