phytoplankton

noun

phy·​to·​plank·​ton ˌfī-tō-ˈplaŋ(k)-tən How to pronounce phytoplankton (audio)
-ˌtän
plural phytoplankton also phytoplanktons
: minute aquatic photosynthetic organisms (such as dinoflagellates, diatoms, and cyanobacteria) : photosynthetic plankton of freshwater or marine environments
Twenty to 40 different species of phytoplankton … can coexist within a single cubic centimeter of water, all vying just for light and a handful of nutrients.O. Baker
Phytoplankton—myriad small, mostly unicellular algae and bacteria that occupy the surface waters of seas and lakes—dominate aquatic primary production, and over time they have radically altered Earth's atmosphere.Robert Riding
Phytoplankton form the foundation of marine food chains, and their seasonal blooms are responsible for more than half the photosynthesis, and the resulting production of oxygen, that occurs on Earth.Robin George Andrews
Antarctic krill are thumb-sized crustaceans that feast on drifting phytoplanktonUsha Lee McFarling
compare zooplankton
phytoplanktonic adjective
phytoplanktonic species
a phytoplanktonic bloom

Examples of phytoplankton in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web During photosynthesis, phytoplankton consume CO2, sunlight and nutrients, including iron. Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2024 That’s important because each phytoplankton community may play different roles in ecosystems and food chains. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 Her research interest focuses on phytoplankton ecology and factors that influence light in marine environments. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 This iceberg is large enough to interfere with the additional primary production (diatoms, like algae) that is produced as the nutrient rich water that upwells in the Taylor column feeds the phytoplankton. Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 15 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for phytoplankton 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phytoplankton.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

phyto- + plankton

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phytoplankton was in 1897

Dictionary Entries Near phytoplankton

Cite this Entry

“Phytoplankton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phytoplankton. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

phytoplankton

noun
phy·​to·​plank·​ton ˌfī-tō-ˈplaŋ(k)-tən How to pronounce phytoplankton (audio)
-ˌtän
: plankton that is composed of plants

More from Merriam-Webster on phytoplankton

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