English Explanatory Dictionary

phytoplankton

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Plankton, especially those small in size, that obtain energy by photosynthesis.

Pronunciation

/ˌfaɪ.təˈplæŋk.tən/ /ˌfaɪ.təʊˈplæŋk.tən/ /ˌfaɪ.toʊˈplæŋk.tən/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Wodencafe-phytoplankton.wav

Word forms

phytoplankton phytoplanktons

Etymology

From phyto- + plankton. From Ancient Greek φυτόν (phutón, “plant”) + πλαγκτόν (planktón), neuter of πλαγκτός (planktós, “wandering”). However, they are no longer classified as plants, so the terminology is showing a historical meaning.

Synonyms

microalga

Derived words

macrophytoplankton microphytoplankton nanophytoplankton phytoplankton bloom phytoplanktonic picophytoplankton ultraphytoplankton
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