Main Entry: nek·ton

Pronunciation: \ˈnek-tən, -ˌtän\

Function: noun

Etymology: German Nekton, from Greek nēkton, neuter of nēktos swimming, from nēchein to swim — more at natant

Date: 1893

: free-swimming aquatic animals essentially independent of wave and current action

— nek·ton·ic \nek-ˈtä-nik\ adjective