chloroplast

noun

chlo·​ro·​plast ˈklȯr-ə-ˌplast 

: a plastid that contains chlorophyll and is the site of photosynthesis see cell illustration

chloroplastic

ˌklȯr-ə-ˈpla-stik 

adjective

Examples of chloroplast in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That means their chloroplasts are, too (that’s the part that conducts photosynthesis and contains the pigments that make leaves green). —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 28 Mar. 2026

Seagrasses cram the emerald chloroplasts that do the work of photosynthesis into the very top layer of the leaf. —David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026

According to McFarland, studies dating back to the 1960s, showed that electrical current flows in trees broke down cell membranes and destroyed the chloroplasts that the trees use to photosynthesize—or make food from the sun. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026

Whatever benefit Elysia chlorotica derives from the chloroplasts, there couldn’t be a leakier creature. —Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chloroplast

• epiblast
• opencast
• overcast
• protoplast
• rebroadcast
• telecast
• trophoblast
• ultrafast
• unsurpassed
• aghast
• amassed
• biassed

Kids Definition

chloroplast

noun

chlo·​ro·​plast ˈklōr-ə-ˌplast 

ˈklȯr-

: a cellular part that contains chlorophyll and is the location of photosynthesis

Medical Definition

chloroplast

noun

chlo·​ro·​plast ˈklōr-ə-ˌplast, ˈklȯr- 

: a plastid that contains chlorophyll and is the site of photosynthesis and starch formation

chloroplastic

ˌklōr-ə-ˈplas-tik, ˌklȯr- 

adjective