the production of light by living organisms as a result of the oxidation of a light-producing substance (luciferin) by the enzyme luciferase: occurs in many marine organisms, insects such as the firefly, etc
Derived forms
bioluminescent (ˌbioˌlumiˈnescent)
adjective
bioluminescence in American English
(ˌbaɪoʊˌluməˈnɛsəns)
noun
1.
the production of light by living organisms, as by fireflies or many deep-water cephalopods
2.
such light
Derived forms
bioluminescent (ˌbioˌlumiˈnescent)
adjective
Examples of 'bioluminescence' in a sentence
bioluminescence
A kind of bioluminescence infused the scene, reinforced by noise.
Aldiss, Brian SOMEWHERE EAST OF LIFE (2001)
The only light was the fetid bioluminescence coming off the heaps of garbage.