blue-green algae

[ bloo-green al-jee ]

plural noun

, Microbiology.

1. cyanobacteria ( def ).

blue-green algae

plural noun

1. the former name for cyanobacteria

Word History and Origins

Origin of blue-green algae¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

People often call these bacteria blue-green algae even though they aren’t algae at all.

From Science News For Students

As spring winds make gentle waves on the misty Lake Tai in Eastern China, blue-green algae bloom beneath the water.

From MIT Technology Review

Salt-laden runoff can also promote the growth of dangerous cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae.

From Popular-Science

Interestingly the flaky skin of the crown had blue-green algae growing on it.

From Project Gutenberg