incandescence

[ in-kuh n-des-uh ns ]
/ ˌɪn kənˈdɛs əns /

noun

the emission of visible light by a body, caused by its high temperature. Compare luminescence.
the light produced by such an emission.
the quality of being incandescent.

Origin of incandescence

First recorded in 1650–60; incandesc(ent) + -ence

OTHER WORDS FROM incandescence

non·in·can·des·cence, noun

Example sentences from the Web for incandescence

British Dictionary definitions for incandescence

incandescence

incandescency

/ (ˌɪnkænˈdɛsəns) /

noun

the emission of light by a body as a consequence of raising its temperature Compare luminescence
the light produced by raising the temperature of a body

Scientific definitions for incandescence

incandescence
[ ĭn′kən-dĕsəns ]

The emission of visible light from a substance or object as a result of heating it to a high temperature. The color of the light emitted from solids and liquids is a function of their chemical structure and their temperature; the higher the temperature, the more intense and even the distribution of frequencies is (that is, higher temperatures create brighter and whiter light than lower temperatures). Compare fluorescence. See also blackbody radiation.