phytoplankton

noun phy·to·plank·ton \ ˌfī-tō-ˈplaŋ(k)-tən , -ˌtän \

|Updated on: 23 Jun 2018

Definition of phytoplankton

: planktonic plant life

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phytoplanktonic

play \ˌfī-tō-plaŋ(k)-ˈtä-nik\ adjective

Recent Examples of phytoplankton from the Web

The omnivorous crustaceans graze on phytoplankton in open water, and some larger adults crawl along the sea floor.

— elaina zachos, National Geographic, "Thousands of Tiny Red Crustaceans Strand on California Beach," 12 June 2018
Some experts suggest that algae and other forms of phytoplankton in the water may get a boost from the extra sunlight.

— chelsea harvey, Scientific American, "Arctic Sea Ice Is Getting Younger. Here Is Why That Is a Problem.," 11 May 2018
These whales usually rely on current upwellings from deep waters to fertilize phytoplankton, which are eaten by zooplankton, which are in turn consumed by the tiny critters that whales love to eat.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Huge Blue Whale Sighted in the Red Sea for the First Time," 2 June 2018
In the old canal town of Lockport this summer, art goes beyond traditional oil painting or sketching to incorporate materials such as phytoplankton, neon and grow lights, Mississippi River mud and digital information woven into fabric.

— Daily Southtown, "Lockport's annual summer series to celebrate art and history," 31 May 2018
The algae bloom is filled with bioluminescent phytoplankton that lights up when the micro-organisms tumble down the face of waves at and near the shore.

— shelby grad, latimes.com, "Essential California: A political odd couple," 10 May 2018
The algae bloom is filled with glowing phytoplankton that lights up when the microorganisms tumble down the face of waves at and near the shore.

— gary robbins, latimes.com, "Nighttime surf glowing with aqua-colored light dazzles San Diego beach," 9 May 2018
The phenomenon is caused by an algae bloom called bioluminescent phytoplankton and has been affecting the ocean from San Diego to Encinitas since Monday.

— matthew diebel, USA TODAY, "Red tide causes surf to glow in an amazing neon blue color in Southern California," 9 May 2018
Researchers have found increasing numbers of phytoplankton, microscopic algae that thrive in nutrient-rich waters, since the early 1900s.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "Humans Have Wreaked Havoc on Walden Pond," 10 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'phytoplankton.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.