photosynthesis

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noun pho·to·syn·the·sis \ ˌfō-tō-ˈsin(t)-thə-səs \

Updated on: 21 Jul 2017

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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photosynthesize

play \ˌfō-tō-ˈsin(t)-thə-ˌsīz\ intransitive verb

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photosynthetic

play \ˌfō-tō-sin-ˈthe-tik\ adjective

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photosynthetically

play \ˌfō-tō-sin-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See photosynthesis defined for English-language learners

See photosynthesis defined for kids

Recent Examples of photosynthesis from the Web

Even though covered with mildew, leaves are still able to carry on photosynthesis at a reduced level, and thus feed their roots.

— ellen nibali, baltimoresun.com, "Garden Q&A: Wild violets and oxalis," 29 Aug. 2017
Aiko and Pajaka won Honorable Mention for their design of an artificial photosynthesis device to chemically convert sunlight into an alternative fuel source, potentially reducing the environment’s carbon footprint.

— laura groch, sandiegouniontribune.com, "North County School News, Aug. 24," 24 Aug. 2017
The LED lighting inside is tuned to sun-like wavelengths that are perfect for photosynthesis.

— nina bahadur, SELF, "Nabeela Lakhani Grows Hydroponic Kale in a Box in Brooklyn," 14 Aug. 2017
But to harness that energy, living creatures rely on enzymes that have evolved over billions of years to make possible everything from respiration to photosynthesis to DNA repair.

— roland pease, Science | AAAS, "How sunlight might have jump-started life on Earth," 12 July 2017
Zooxanthellae also happen to be good at using blue light for photosynthesis.

— sarah zhang, The Atlantic, "Why Do Corals Glow in the Dark?," 10 July 2017
Federal authorities say Christensen is responsible for the abduction of Yingying Zhang, 26, a Chinese visiting scholar at the university's Urbana-Champaign campus who was researching photosynthesis and crop productivity.

— michelle liu, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Man charged in kidnapping of University of Illinois scholar graduated from UW-Madison," 3 July 2017
Zhang was one month into a yearlong program at the university studying photosynthesis and crop productivity, a university spokesperson previously told PEOPLE.

— greg hanlon, PEOPLE.com, "Suspect in U. Illinois Scholar Kidnapping Allegedly Searched Fetish Website for Abduction Fantasies," 3 July 2017
Zhang has been researching crop photosynthesis and was expected to begin work on her Ph.D. in the fall at the University of Illinois, according to the school.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "FBI locates car related to missing Chinese scholar case," 28 June 2017

These 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.

photosynthesis Has Greek Roots

The Greek roots of photosynthesis combine to produce the basic meaning "to put together with the help of light". Photosynthesis is what first produced oxygen in the atmosphere billions of years ago, and it's still what keeps it there. Sunlight splits the water molecules (made of hydrogen and oxygen) held in a plant's leaves and releases the oxygen in them into the air. The leftover hydrogen combines with carbon dioxide to produce carbohydrates, which the plant uses as food—as do any animals or humans who might eat the plant.

Origin and Etymology of photosynthesis

New Latin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1898

See Words from the same year

Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

PHOTOSYNTHESIS Defined for English Language Learners

photosynthesis

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noun

Definition of photosynthesis for English Language Learners

biology : the process by which a green plant turns water and carbon dioxide into food when the plant is exposed to light

PHOTOSYNTHESIS Defined for Kids

photosynthesis

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noun pho·to·syn·the·sis \ ˌfō-tə-ˈsin-thə-səs \

Definition of photosynthesis for Students

: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

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photosynthetic

\-sin-ˈthe-tik\ adjective

photosynthetic activity

Medical Dictionary

photosynthesis

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noun pho·to·syn·the·sis \ ˌfōt-ō-ˈsin(t)-thə-səs \

medical Definition of photosynthesis

plural photosyntheses

: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

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photosynthesize

play \-ˌsīz\ also British photosynthesise intransitive verb photosynthesized also British photosynthesised; photosynthesizing also British photosynthesising

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