autotroph

[ aw-tuh-trof, -trohf ]

/ ˈɔ təˌtrɒf, -ˌtroʊf /

noun Biology.

any organism capable of self-nourishment by using inorganic materials as a source of nutrients and using photosynthesis or chemosynthesis as a source of energy, as most plants and certain bacteria and protists.

Words nearby autotroph

autotoxin, autotransformer, autotransfusion, autotransplant, autotransplantation, autotroph, autotrophic, autotruck, autotune, autotype, autovaccination

Compare heterotroph.

Origin of autotroph

1935–40; back formation from autotrophic; see auto-¹, trophic

OTHER WORDS FROM autotroph

au·to·troph·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Medicine definitions for autotroph

autotroph

[ ô′tə-trŏf′, -trōf′ ]

n.

An organism capable of synthesizing its own food from inorganic substances using light or chemical energy. Green plants, algae, and certain bacteria are autotrophs.

Other words from autotroph

au′to•troph′ic (-trŏf′ĭk, -trō′fĭk) adj.

Science definitions for autotroph

autotroph

[ ô′tə-trŏf′ ]

An organism that manufactures its own food from inorganic substances, such as carbon dioxide and ammonia. Most autotrophs, such as green plants, certain algae, and photosynthetic bacteria, use light for energy. Some autotrophs, such as chemosynthetic bacteria, obtain their energy from inorganic compounds such as hydrogen sulfide by combining them with oxygen. Compare heterotroph.

Other words from autotroph

autotrophic adjective (ô′tə-trŏf′ĭk, -trō′fĭk)