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blue-green algae

American  
[bloo-green al-jee] / ˈbluˌgrin ˈæl dʒi /

plural noun

Microbiology.
  1. cyanobacteria.


blue-green algae British  

plural noun

  1. the former name for cyanobacteria

"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

Etymology

Origin of blue-green algae

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

A spokesperson for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council said watersports activities and open-water swimming at Craigavon Lakes were suspended on 21 July due to the presence of blue-green algae.

From BBC Jul. 26, 2026

Instead of the previous blue-green algae, the new green algae is "just taking over," Paerl said.

From Barron's Jun. 21, 2026

Suspecting an environmental link, the scientists and officials considered various possible culprits, from a rare moose-borne parasite to blue-green algae blooms to Agent Orange sprayed on the province in the 1970s.

From BBC Jan. 10, 2026

Last year, scientists in the country announced they had launched successful trials spraying the soil with cyanobacteria, also known as "blue-green algae" -- a method that helps retain moisture and facilitate tree rooting.

From Barron's Dec. 18, 2025

Once the photosynthetic cells had appeared, very probably counterparts of today’s blue-green algae, the future respiratory mechanism of the earth was set in place.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

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