plankton

American  

[plangk-tuhn] / ˈplæŋk tən /

noun

1. the aggregate of passively floating, drifting, or somewhat motile organisms occurring in a body of water, primarily comprising microscopic algae and protozoa.

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plankton British  

/ plæŋkˈtɒnɪk, ˈplæŋktən /

noun

1. the organisms inhabiting the surface layer of a sea or lake, consisting of small drifting plants and animals, such as diatoms Compare nekton

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plankton Scientific  

/ plăngk′tən /

1. Small organisms that float or drift in great numbers in bodies of salt or fresh water. Plankton is a primary food source for many animals, and consists of bacteria, protozoans, certain algae, cnidarians, tiny crustaceans such as copepods, and many other organisms.

2. Compare benthos nekton

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Other Word Forms

• planktonic adjective

Etymology

Origin of plankton

1890–95; < German, special use of neuter of Greek planktós drifting, equivalent to plang-, variant stem of plázesthai to drift, roam, wander + -tos verbid suffix

Example Sentences

The approach is also highly efficient, since it removes almost all plankton from the water.

From Science Daily

These nutrients stimulate the growth of plankton, microscopic organisms that absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

From Science Daily

Some strategies use biological processes, such as increasing plankton or seaweed growth so they can take up carbon dioxide as they develop.

From Science Daily

The robot searched through her computer brain and found words like plankton and bioluminescence.

From Literature

Three years later, their partnership has produced an unprecedented body of knowledge about hundreds of protist species and laid the groundwork for a "planetary atlas" of plankton.

From Science Daily