chemiluminescence

noun

chemi·​lu·​mi·​nes·​cence ˌke-mē-ˌlü-mə-ˈne-sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce chemiluminescence (audio)
ˌkē-
: luminescence (such as bioluminescence) due to chemical reaction
chemiluminescent
ˌke-mē-ˌlü-mə-ˈne-sᵊnt How to pronounce chemiluminescence (audio)
ˌkē-
adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Chemiluminescenz, from chemi- (extracted from chemisch "chemical," from Chemie "chemistry" + -isch -ish, after New Latin chemicus, Medieval Latin chimicus chemic) + Luminescenz luminescence

Note: The term was introduced by the German physicist Elhard Wiedemann (1852-1928) in "Ueber Fluorescenz und Phosphorescenz, I. Abhandlung," Annalen der Physik und Chemie, Neue Folge, Band 34 (1888), pp. 447-48.

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chemiluminescence was in 1889

Rhymes for chemiluminescence

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Browse Nearby Words

chemigroundwood pulp
chemiluminescence
chemin de fer
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Cite this Entry

“Chemiluminescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chemiluminescence. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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Medical Definition

chemiluminescence

noun
che·​mi·​lu·​mi·​nes·​cence ˌkem-i-ˌlü-mə-ˈnes-ᵊn(t)s, ˌkē-mi- How to pronounce chemiluminescence (audio)
: luminescence (as bioluminescence) due to chemical reaction usually at low temperatures
chemiluminescent
-ˈnes-ᵊnt How to pronounce chemiluminescence (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on chemiluminescence

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chemiluminescence

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