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

Its 70-foot-high kelp forest and marine wildlife, including lingcod, rockfish, harbor seals, sea otters, and sea stars, make the Reserve a famous diving and snorkeling location. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

Kayak among kelp forests and lounging sea otters, bicycle along the 18-mile-long Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, or go for a swim in the waters of Lovers Point Park. —Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025

The proceeds from their sales are re-invested into kelp forest restoration projects. —Akiko Katayama, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

The mounds of kelp washed ashore Orange County beaches by recent storms is a visual not so common in recent years. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 6 June 2025

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

Rhymes for kelp

• help
• skelp
• whelp
• yelp

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