photosynthesize

American  

[foh-tuh-sin-thuh-sahyz] / ˌfoʊ təˈsɪn θəˌsaɪz /

verb (used without object)

photosynthesized, photosynthesizing

1. to produce carbohydrates by photosynthesis.

   Plants with light green leaves don't photosynthesize as well as those with darker leaves.

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verb (used with object)

photosynthesized, photosynthesizing

1. to produce by photosynthesis.

   Plants photosynthesize sugars from carbon dioxide and water.

photosynthesize British  

/ ˌfəʊtəʊˈsɪnθɪˌsaɪz /

verb

1. (of plants and some bacteria) to carry out photosynthesis

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Etymology

Origin of photosynthesize

First recorded in 1905–10; photo- ( def. ) + synthesize ( def. )

Example Sentences

Balanophora species represent an extreme case because they do not photosynthesize and instead draw nutrients from the roots of host plants.

From Science Daily

Some of these animals can photosynthesize like plants; some harvest algae and seawater to make calcium carbonate for their underwater castles; some produce their own light or glow in the dark.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a few months, a single leaf emerges, allowing the plant to photosynthesize and rebuild the energy needed for its next bloom, two to three years later.

From Los Angeles Times

"So phytoplankton use carbon to photosynthesize while things like mussels also use carbon to build their shells."

From BBC

This evolution was punctuated around 30 million years ago with the emergence of a newer, better way to photosynthesize.

From Science Daily