kelp

American  

[kelp] / kɛlp /

noun

1. any large, brown, cold-water seaweed of the family Laminariaceae, used as food and in various manufacturing processes.

2. a bed or mass of such seaweeds.

3. the ash of these seaweeds.

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verb (used without object)

1. to burn these seaweeds for their ash.

kelp British  

/ kɛlp /

noun

1. any large brown seaweed, esp any in the order Laminariales

2. the ash of such seaweed, used as a source of iodine and potash

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kelp Scientific  

/ kĕlp /

1. Any of various brown, often very large seaweeds that grow in colder ocean regions. Kelps are varieties of brown algae of the order Laminariales, with some species growing over 61 m (200 ft) long. Kelps are harvested as food (primarily in eastern Asia), as fertilizer, and for their sodium and potassium salts, used in industrial processes. Kelps are also a source of thickening agents and colloid stabilizers used in many commercial products.

2. See more at brown alga

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Etymology

Origin of kelp

1350–1400; apparently dialectal variant of Middle English culp < ?

Example Sentences

In Maine, growing kelp for use in foods, cosmetics, fertilizer additives and other products is rapidly expanding, but it remains expensive to do.

From Science Daily

The waters along that coast were home to a lush forest of kelp.

From Literature

However, while 841 tended to hang close to the cliffs in 2023, this otter appeared to spend more time a bit farther out — closer to the offshore kelp beds.

From Los Angeles Times

Swell sharks depend on kelp to lay their leathery eggs, making them vulnerable to kelp forest loss.

From BBC

But when wasting disease in effect wiped out their main predator, the sea urchins exploded in number, decimating kelp forests and transforming once-lush underwater habitats into so-called urchin barrens.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• seaweed