Definition of diatom
:any of a class (Bacillariophyceae) of minute planktonic unicellular or colonial algae with silicified skeletons that form diatomaceous earth
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Recent Examples of diatom from the Web
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Diatoms, on the other hand — another type of phytoplankton found in the Black Sea — can make the water look somewhat darker.
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Algae diatoms need nitrate for biochemical processes, including the production of domoic acid.
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The fluffy green globes—supersize diatoms as large as a head of cabbage—are one of the planet’s most unusual plants.
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The lake’s troubles may have begun with a diatom mine that operated from the late 1960s until 2004.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'diatom.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of diatom
ultimately from Greek diatomos cut in half, from diatemnein to cut through, from dia- + temnein to cut — more at tome
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about diatom
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See words that rhyme with diatom Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diatom
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