definitions
  • synonyms

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.

Nearby words

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
Related formsau·to·troph·ic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for autotrophic

  • But the general significance of the term "autotrophic plants" is apparent.

    The Chemistry of Plant Life|Roscoe Wilfred Thatcher

British Dictionary definitions for autotrophic

autotrophic

/ (ˌɔːtəˈtrɒfɪk) /

adjective

(of organisms such as green plants) capable of manufacturing complex organic nutritive compounds from simple inorganic sources such as carbon dioxide, water, and nitrates, using energy from the sunCompare heterotrophic
Derived Formsautotroph (ˈɔːtətrəʊf), noun
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

Medicine definitions for autotrophic

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.
Related formsau′to•troph′ic (-trŏf′ĭk, -trō′fĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for autotrophic

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.
Related formsautotrophic adjective (ô′tə-trŏf′ĭk, -trō′fĭk)
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.