kelp

noun \ ˈkelp \

Definition of kelp

1 a :any of various large brown seaweeds (order Laminariales)

b :a mass of large seaweeds

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

See kelp defined for English-language learners

See kelp defined for kids

Recent Examples of kelp from the Web

Dried bonito flakes and kelp are on the Asian aisle of most large supermarkets.

— jim shahin, charlotteobserver, "Think you can’t get smoky flavors from a gas grill? Try this.," 29 Aug. 2017
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, explains that seaweed kelp is rich in minerals and is also known to have a benefit in wound healing.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "10 Conspiracy Theories About the World’s Most Infamous Skin Cream," 23 Aug. 2017
Jetty fishing was improved for lingcod and continued good for black rockfish and kelp greenling.

— sacbee, "Salmon season off to slow start, but there are signs of hope," 31 July 2017
Translucent wafers of Korean fluke are wrapped in kelp to cure; sayori (needlefish) is slivered and marinated in soy; and tender lobes of rich uni are glazed with miso.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Los Angeles Magazine Hot Restaurant List for July 2017," 18 July 2017
On a gray summer day in 1966, Todd Newberry was watching seabirds squabble above the kelp forests of California’s Monterey Bay, when a sailor struck up a conversation that changed his understanding of the Vietnam War.

— chris reeves, The Atlantic, "Did a Glowing Sea Creature Help Push the U.S. Into the Vietnam War?," 11 July 2017
Little is known about managing and harvesting wild kelp.

— bethany goodrich, Alaska Dispatch News, "Farming Alaska’s seas," 8 July 2017
Receding kelp means less habitat for intermediate predators, with about half as many near the volcanic vents.

— adam aton, Scientific American, "CO2 Benefits the “Rats and Cockroaches” of Marine World," 7 July 2017
Young had removed his trunks a few miles from shore while negotiating a snarl of kelp, leaving him clad in only a coating of grease (for insulation) flecked with graphite (as shark repellent).

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "Sea of Dreams: How William Wrigley Jr. brought the Wrigley Ocean Marathon to life," 23 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kelp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of kelp

Middle English culp

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

KELP Defined for English Language Learners

kelp

noun

Definition of kelp for English Language Learners

: a type of brown seaweed

KELP Defined for Kids

kelp

noun \ ˈkelp \

Definition of kelp for Students

:a large brown seaweed

Medical Dictionary

kelp

noun \ ˈkelp \

medical Definition of kelp

1 :any of various large brown seaweeds (orders Laminariales and Fucales) and especially laminarias of which some are used for food especially in China and Japan and as sources of alginates, iodine, and medicinal substances

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

Learn More about kelp

See words that rhyme with kelp Spanish Central: Translation of kelp Nglish: Translation of kelp for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of kelp for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kelp

Seen and Heard

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

show

kelp

Definition of kelp

Recent Examples of kelp from the Web

Origin and Etymology of kelp

KELP Defined for English Language Learners

kelp

Definition of kelp for English Language Learners

KELP Defined for Kids

kelp

Definition of kelp for Students

Medical Dictionary

kelp

medical Definition of kelp

Learn More about kelp

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

knee-jerk

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

I'll Have the Us(ual)

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

The Exceptions Quiz III

Forms of Government Quiz

Spell It

Citation

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066

kelp

Definition of kelp

Read the Latest from M-W

Recent Examples of kelp from the Web

Origin and Etymology of kelp

KELP Defined for English Language Learners

kelp

Definition of kelp for English Language Learners

KELP Defined for Kids

kelp

Definition of kelp for Students

Medical Dictionary

kelp

medical Definition of kelp

Learn More about kelp

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066