plankton

[ plangk-tuhn ]

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

Origin of plankton

1
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

Other words from plankton

  • plank·ton·ic [plangk-ton-ik], /plæŋkˈtɒn ɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby plankton

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How to use plankton in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for plankton

plankton

/ (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

Origin of plankton

1
C19: via German from Greek planktos wandering, from plazesthai to roam

Derived forms of plankton

  • planktonic (plæŋkˈtɒnɪk), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for plankton

plankton

[ plăngktən ]


  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. Compare benthos nekton.

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