algae

[ al-jee ]

/ ˈæl dʒi /

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plural noun, singular al·ga

[al-guh]. /ˈæl gə/.

Microbiology. any of numerous groups of chlorophyll-containing, mainly aquatic, eukaryotic organisms ranging from microscopic single-celled forms to multicellular forms 100 feet (30 meters) or more long, distinguished from plants by the absence of true roots, stems, and leaves and by a lack of nonreproductive cells in the reproductive structures: classified into the six phyla Euglenophyta, Crysophyta, Pyrrophyta, Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta, and Rhodophyta.

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Compare cyanobacteria.

Origin of algae

First recorded in 1790–1800; from New Latin, plural of Latin alga “seaweed”

OTHER WORDS FROM algae

al·gal

[al-guhl], /ˈæl gəl/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use algae in a sentence

Earlier this month, Toledo, Ohio, watched its municipal water supply descend into an undrinkable stew of algal toxins.
Are Water Filters B.S.?|Michael Schulson|August 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The algal host cells lie in the medulla, just below the upper cortex.
Ohio Biological Survey, Bull. 10, Vol. 11, No. 6|Bruce Fink and Leafy J. Corrington
The chains of cells are usually badly broken up, and the nature of the algal host is, therefore, difficult to distinguish.
Ohio Biological Survey, Bull. 10, Vol. 11, No. 6|Bruce Fink and Leafy J. Corrington
The algal hosts are usually Dactylococcus or Polycoccus, and both hosts are sometimes found in the same thallus.
Ohio Biological Survey, Bull. 10, Vol. 11, No. 6|Bruce Fink and Leafy J. Corrington

Satisfied with the results attained in exterminating algal growth in water-cress beds, attention was next given to reservoirs.
The Home Medical Library, Volume V (of VI)|Various
It was, therefore, most desirable to devise a method of ridding the bed of algal growth without injuring the cress.
The Home Medical Library, Volume V (of VI)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for algae

algae

/ (ˈældʒiː) /

pl n singular alga (ˈælɡə)

unicellular or multicellular organisms formerly classified as plants, occurring in fresh or salt water or moist ground, that have chlorophyll and other pigments but lack true stems, roots, and leaves. Algae, which are now regarded as protoctists, include the seaweeds, diatoms, and spirogyra

Derived forms of algae

algal (ˈælɡəl), adjective

Word Origin for algae

C16: from Latin, plural of alga seaweed, of uncertain origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for algae

algae

[ (al-jee) ]

Primitive organisms that contain chlorophyll but do not have structures, such as xylem and phloem, to transport fluids. Algae sometimes contain only a single cell, and nowadays they are not considered members of the plant kingdom.

notes for algae

The most familiar algae are the greenish scum that collects in still water.

notes for algae

Algae supply a considerable part of the world's oxygen.

algae

Origin of algae

OTHER WORDS FROM algae

Words related to algae

How to use algae in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for algae

Derived forms of algae

Word Origin for algae

Cultural definitions for algae

notes for algae

notes for algae