Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Diatoma

noun
Di·​at·​o·​ma | \ dīˈatəmə\

Definition of Diatoma

: a genus of freshwater diatoms (family Diatomaceae) that sometimes cause aromatic or disagreeable odors in water

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!

History and Etymology for Diatoma

New Latin, from Greek diatomē, feminine of diatomos cut in half, from diatemnein to cut through, from dia- + temnein to cut

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Diatoma

Statistics for Diatoma

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Diatoma

What made you want to look up Diatoma? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

bower

Listen to the pronounciation of bower

a shady place in a garden or forest

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Original Meanings Quiz

  • rembrandt-painting-a-young-scholar-and-his-tutor
  • Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games