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pho·to·syn·the·sis | \ ˌfō-tō-ˈsin(t)-thə-səs 
\
\Definition of photosynthesis
: synthesis of chemical compounds with the aid of radiant energy and especially light especially : formation of carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and a source of hydrogen (such as water) in the chlorophyll-containing cells (as of green plants) exposed to light
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Other Words from photosynthesis
photosynthesize \ ˌfō-tō-ˈsin(t)-thə-ˌsīz \ intransitive verb
\ intransitive verbphotosynthetic \ ˌfō-tō-sin-ˈthe-tik \ adjective
\ adjectivephotosynthetically \ ˌfō-tō-sin-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē \ adverb
\ adverbExamples of photosynthesis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web This ecosystem is fuelled by what is known as marine snow—a steady shower of small, nutrient-rich particles that fall like manna from the ocean layers near the surface, where photosynthesis takes place.
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The Economist, "Palaeomicrobiology Researchers revive bacteria from the era of the dinosaurs," 1 Aug. 2020 Definitions for the processes of photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration and assimilation were particularly informative for me.
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Sally Peterson, oregonlive, "’The New Gardener’s Handbook” awakens intuitive skills, plant passion," 30 June 2020 There were huge tsunamis, submarine landslides, widespread wildfires, and likely insufficient sunlight to sustain photosynthesis after the asteroid hit, for example.
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Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "Did huge eruptions actually help during the end-Cretaceous extinction?," 1 July 2020 More plant growth in the Arctic means that the vegetation is sequestering more CO2 via photosynthesis.
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Matt Simon, Wired, "Why the Arctic Is Warming So Fast, and Why That’s So Alarming," 23 June 2020 These algae live throughout the oceans—and most other damp places—and may conduct up to about a quarter of the photosynthesis in the world.
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Paige Embry, Scientific American, "Slimy Mudflat Biofilms Feed Migratory Birds—and Could Be Threatened," 17 June 2020 This tree growth can produce enough photosynthesis to feed the tree enough through the year to produce new growth the following year.
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oregonlive, "Vigilant gardener wonders if they spotted an invasive giant hornet - they didn’t: Ask an expert," 14 June 2020 This process, called photosynthesis, generates oxygen.
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Kristen Rogers, CNN, "6 reasons why bats aren't enemies: They help make tequila, and other surprising facts you may not know," 14 June 2020 Additionally, the temperatures reached over 100 degrees, which helped speed up ozone production by increasing photosynthesis in trees and plants.
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Erin Stone, azcentral, "Traffic was down in Phoenix, but ozone levels remained stubbornly high. What's happening?," 12 June 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'photosynthesis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for photosynthesis
photosynthesis
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of photosynthesis
biology : the process by which a green plant turns water and carbon dioxide into food when the plant is exposed to light
See the full definition for photosynthesis in the English Language Learners Dictionary
photosynthesis
nounpho·to·syn·the·sis | \ ˌfō-tə-ˈsin-thə-səs \
\Kids Definition of photosynthesis
: the process by which green plants and a few other organisms (as some protists) form carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of light
photosynthesis
nounpho·to·syn·the·sis | \ ˌfōt-ō-ˈsin(t)-thə-səs \
\ plural photosyntheses
Medical Definition of photosynthesis
: synthesis of chemical compounds with the aid of light sometimes including the near infrared or near ultraviolet especially : the formation of carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and a source of hydrogen (as water) in chlorophyll-containing cells (as of green plants) exposed to light involving a photochemical release of oxygen through the decomposition of water followed by various enzymatic synthetic reactions that usually do not require the presence of light
Other Words from photosynthesis
photosynthesize \ -ˌsīz \ also British photosynthesise intransitive verb photosynthesized also British photosynthesised; photosynthesizing also British photosynthesising
\ also British photosynthesise intransitive verb photosynthesized also British photosynthesised; photosynthesizing also British photosynthesisingphotosynthetic \ -sin-ˈthet-ik \ adjective
\ adjectivephotosynthetically \ -i-k(ə-)lē \ adverb
\ adverbKeep scrolling for more
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Time Traveler for photosynthesis
The first known use of photosynthesis was in 1898
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