plankton
[ plangk-tuhn ]
/ ˈplæŋk tən /
noun
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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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
OTHER WORDS FROM plankton
plank·ton·ic [plangk-ton-ik], /plæŋkˈtɒn ɪk/, adjectiveWords nearby plankton
plank, plank floor, planking, plank-sheer, plankter, plankton, planned, planned economy, planned obsolescence, Planned Parenthood, planner
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for plankton
British Dictionary definitions for plankton
plankton
/ (ˈplæŋktən) /
noun
the organisms inhabiting the surface layer of a sea or lake, consisting of small drifting plants and animals, such as diatomsCompare nekton
Derived forms of plankton
planktonic (plæŋkˈtɒnɪk), adjectiveWord Origin for plankton
C19: via German from Greek planktos wandering, from plazesthai to roam
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Scientific definitions for plankton
plankton
[ plăngk′tən ]
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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