What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
Beggiatoa
noun
Beg·giatoa
\bə-ˈja-tə-wə, ˌbe-jə-ˈtō-ə\
Definition of Beggiatoa
: a genus (the type of the family Beggiatoaceae) of colorless filamentous sulfur bacteria of the order Beggiatoales that in form and motility resemble algae of the family Oscillatoriaceae and that often form thick mats of unsheathed filaments in swamps, sulfur springs, and seawater
beggiatoaceous
\bə-¦ja-tə-¦wā-shəs, ¦be-jə-ˌtō-¦ā-\ adjectiveRead the Latest from M-W
There's more!
Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:
- More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
- Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
- Advanced search features
- Ad free!
Origin and Etymology of beggiatoa
New Latin, from F. S. Beggiato, 19th century Italian botanist
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up Beggiatoa? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!