photosynthesis
noun
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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.
Examples of photosynthesis in a Sentence
New Atlas, 21 June 2026
If discovering tiny insect casings or sticky residue, this often indicates those insects with piercing and sucking mouthparts that slowly siphon sap from plants, depleting their ability to feed themselves through photosynthesis.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026
Understanding Heat Stress In Plants Just like in our bodies, extremely high temperatures disrupt plant processes, including the development and growth of plant tissues, nutrient uptake, photosynthesis, pollen production, and can cause damage to fruits and vegetables.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 June 2026
To address this, many artificial photosynthesis systems rely on a technique known as Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), which continuously adjusts voltage and current to ensure solar cells operate at their highest possible efficiency.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for photosynthesis
Cite this Entry
“Photosynthesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photosynthesis. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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photosynthesis
noun
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photosynthesis
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