cyanobacteria

¹ American  

[sahy-uh-noh-bak-teer-ee-uh, sahy-an-oh-] / ˌsaɪ ə noʊ bækˈtɪər i ə, saɪˌæn oʊ- /

plural noun

singular

cyanobacterium

1. Microbiology. a widely distributed group of photosynthetic bacteria, occurring singly or in colonies in terrestrial and aquatic habitats: often mistakenly referred to as algae, especially when called by their most common misnomer, blue-green algae .

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Cyanobacteria ² American  

[sahy-uh-noh-bak-teer-ee-uh, sahy-an-oh-] / ˌsaɪ ə noʊ bækˈtɪər i ə, saɪˌæn oʊ- /

noun

Microbiology.

1. the phylum, or subkingdom, that comprises the cyanobacteria.

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cyanobacteria British  

/ ˌsaɪənəʊbækˈtɪərɪə /

plural noun

1. Former name: blue-green algae.  a group of photosynthetic bacteria (phylum Cyanobacteria ) containing a blue photosynthetic pigment

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Etymology

Origin of cyanobacteria¹

First recorded in 1975–80; cyano- ¹ + bacteria

Origin of Cyanobacteria²

See cyanobacteria ( def. )

Example Sentences

The findings suggest that soon after cyanobacteria began producing oxygen, other organisms evolved the machinery to consume it.

From Science Daily • Feb. 18, 2026

The beauty of the sky contrasts sharply with the water, sometimes blue, but often a murky green from cyanobacteria or stained black.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026

The research team isolated eight strains of heat-tolerant cyanobacteria from the Bo Khlueng hot spring in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand.

From Science Daily • Jan. 13, 2026

In a new study, researchers led by Professor Hakuto Kageyama of Meijo University and Professor Rungaroon Waditee-Sirisattha of Chulalongkorn University identified a novel MAA produced by thermophilic cyanobacteria living in hot springs in Thailand.

From Science Daily • Jan. 13, 2026

This substance is produced by heat-loving cyanobacteria when they are exposed to UV-A, UV-B, and salty conditions.

From Science Daily • Jan. 13, 2026