definitions

heterotroph

[ het-er-uh-trof, -trohf ]
/ ˈhɛt ər əˌtrɒf, -ˌtroʊf /

noun

Biology. an organism requiring organic compounds for its principal source of food.

Nearby words

heterotopia, heterotransplant, heterotransplantation, heterotrich, heterotrichosis, heterotroph, heterotrophic, heterotropia, heterotypic, heterotypic cortex, heterotypical chromosome
Compare autotroph.

Origin of heterotroph

First recorded in 1895–1900; hetero- + -troph
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Word Origin and History for heterotroph

heterotroph

n.

1900, from hetero- + Greek trophos "feeder" (see -trophy). Related: Heterotrophic (1893).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for heterotroph

heterotroph

[ hĕt′ər-ə-trŏf′, -trōf′ ]

n.

An organism that cannot synthesize its own food and is dependent upon complex organic substances for nutrition.
Related formshet′er•o•troph′ic (-trŏf′ĭk, -trō′fĭk) adj.het′er•ot′ro•phy (-ə-rŏt′rə-fē) n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for heterotroph

heterotroph

[ hĕt′ər-ə-trŏf′ ]

An organism that cannot manufacture its own food and instead obtains its food and energy by taking in organic substances, usually plant or animal matter. All animals, protozoans, fungi, and most bacteria are heterotrophs. Compare autotroph.
Related formsheterotrophic adjective (hĕt′ər-ə-trŏf′ĭk)
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.