duckweed

American  

[duhk-weed] / ˈdʌkˌwid /

noun

1. any plant of the family Lemnaceae, especially of the genus Lemna, comprising small aquatic plants that float free on still water.

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duckweed British  

/ ˈdʌkˌwiːd /

noun

1. any of various small stemless aquatic plants of the family Lemnaceae, esp any of the genus Lemna, that have rounded leaves and occur floating on still water in temperate regions

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Etymology

Origin of duckweed

1400–50; late Middle English dockewede; so called because eaten by ducks

Example Sentences

Duckweed swirls in the fish tanks, cooling their piscine inhabitants.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 11, 2023

Duckweed, common on every continent but Antarctica, is among the world’s most productive plants per acre, and the researchers suggest it could be a game-changing renewable energy source for three key reasons.

From Scientific American • Jan. 25, 2023

Duckweed, a protein-rich water plant, has been described as a "miracle plant" as it is one of the fastest growing on the planet.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2022

Duckweed can be used for wastewater treatment, in biofuels, and as a protein-and-mineral-rich feedstock.

From National Geographic

Duckweed, the popular name of several species of Lemna, nat. ord.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 1: Deposition to Eberswalde by Various