kelp

noun

ˈkelp 

plural kelps or kelp

1

a

: any of various large marine brown algae that are large seaweeds (order Laminariales) growing in cool waters

Only canopy-forming kelp are visible on the sea surface.

—Glenn Scherer

Kelps grow fast, drawing on all the minerals and vitamins and nutrients they can from the watershed and the sun.

—Zachariah Bryan

… thickets of kelp forming submarine forests in the bay.

—Jeff Phillips

see also bladder kelp, bull kelp, giant kelp

b

: a mass or growth of large seaweeds

The kelp near the outer islands teems with marine plants and animals in far greater abundance than it does closer to the coast …

—John L. Stein

2

a

: a blade (see blade entry 1 sense 2e) of kelp that is usually dried and used as food (as in sushi or soups)

b

: a dietary supplement containing processed kelp

c

: the ashes of seaweed used formerly especially as a source of iodine

Examples of kelp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Purple lupine can be abundant during summers, wild herbs such as angelica grow from rocky crevices, flowering bushes of yarrow flourish in picturesque meadows, and, just off the coast, tall stalks of sea kelp float in chilly waters. —Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2024

Key Ingredients: Atlantic sea kelp, proline, salicylic acid. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 14 June 2024

Meanwhile Atlantic sea kelp, proline, and botanical oils help boost collagen production and to ensure skin is more moisturized after each use. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Aug. 2024

There are also supplements made from kelp, a type of seaweed with iodine.3 Many multivitamins and mineral supplements contain iodine, usually 150 mcg. —Johna Burdeos, Health, 11 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English culp

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing kelp

• bladder kelp
• bull kelp
• giant bladder kelp
• giant kelp
• kelp bass

Kids Definition

kelp

noun

ˈkelp 

: any of various large brown seaweeds

also : a mass of these

Medical Definition

kelp

noun

ˈkelp 

1

: any of various large marine brown algae that are large seaweeds (order Laminariales) growing in cool waters

2

a

: a dietary supplement containing processed kelp

b

: the ashes of seaweed used formerly especially as a source of iodine