kelp

American  

[kelp] / kɛlp /

noun

1. any large, brown, cold-water seaweed of the family Laminariaceae, used as food and in various manufacturing processes.

2. a bed or mass of such seaweeds.

3. the ash of these seaweeds.

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verb (used without object)

1. to burn these seaweeds for their ash.

kelp British  

/ kɛlp /

noun

1. any large brown seaweed, esp any in the order Laminariales

2. the ash of such seaweed, used as a source of iodine and potash

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kelp Scientific  

/ kĕlp /

1. Any of various brown, often very large seaweeds that grow in colder ocean regions. Kelps are varieties of brown algae of the order Laminariales, with some species growing over 61 m (200 ft) long. Kelps are harvested as food (primarily in eastern Asia), as fertilizer, and for their sodium and potassium salts, used in industrial processes. Kelps are also a source of thickening agents and colloid stabilizers used in many commercial products.

2. See more at brown alga

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Etymology

Origin of kelp

1350–1400; apparently dialectal variant of Middle English culp < ?

Explanation

Kelp is a common type of seaweed. You might encounter kelp scuba diving in the ocean, or even while diving into your miso soup. Kelp is a plant that grows in the ocean which you'll often see on the beach at low tide or waving in the water. Many people eat different forms of kelp too — in Japan, two popular edible seaweeds are arame and kombu, both types of kelp that you've probably tasted if you've dined on miso soup. Kelp comes from the Middle English culpe, but its earlier origins are a mystery.

Example Sentences

"Kelp is the lobster roll of the future," she says, then stops.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Kelp, he says, carries the character of the water it grew in - the same quality that wine people call terroir and oyster people call merroir.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Kelp growers in Maine and elsewhere who are interested in having their operations analyzed with the tool can contact Moscicki at [email protected].

From Science Daily • Dec. 11, 2025

Kelp forests — one of the most biodiverse ocean ecosystems on the planet and great at absorbing carbon — sit off the coast.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 14, 2024

Kelp floating in packs past the small swells.

From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña

Related Words

• seaweed