kelp

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This image represents only a small portion of the canopy in this particular kelp forest. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 Earlier this year, researchers found that gray whales were avoiding the Oregon coast due to a drastic increase in sea urchins that have been depleting local kelp forests. Meira Gebel, Axios, 4 Oct. 2024 The council also approved funding for routine beach maintenance in South Laguna to include weekly sweeping of the parking lots at Aliso Beach, staircase maintenance at other beaches, and weekly beach grooming, which consists of removing kelp and debris from the sand. Erika I. Ritchie, Orange County Register, 17 May 2024 Research has also shown seaweed such as kelp isn’t a static vessel filled with CO2. Bywarren Cornwall, science.org, 29 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kelp 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English culp

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of kelp was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near kelp

Cite this Entry

“Kelp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kelp. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

kelp

noun
: any of various large brown seaweeds
also : a mass of these

Medical Definition

kelp

noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on kelp

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