sargassum

American  

[sahr-gas-uhm] / sɑrˈgæs əm /

noun

1. any seaweed of the genus Sargassum, widely distributed in the warmer waters of the globe, as S. bacciferum, the common gulfweed.

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sargassum British  

/ sɑːˈɡæsəm, sɑːˈɡæsəʊ /

noun

1. any floating brown seaweed of the genus Sargassum, such as gulfweed, of warm seas, having ribbon-like fronds containing air sacs

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Etymology

Origin of sargassum

From New Latin, dating back to 1900–05; sargasso

Example Sentences

Massive amounts of sargassum washing onto Florida's coastline are not only affecting beachgoers, they are also creating a serious new barrier for young sea turtles.

From Science Daily

Soon, mounds of unsightly sargassum – carried by currents from the Sargasso Sea and linked to climate change – were carpeting the region’s prized coastlines, repelling holidaymakers with the pungent stench emitted as it rots.

From BBC

Researchers have been working to track and study floating sargassum, a prolific seaweed swamping Caribbean and West African shorelines, and causing environmental and economic harm.

From Science Daily

As the sargassum piles up on beaches, it makes it hard for mother sea turtles to lay eggs, and nearly impossible for baby turtles to return to the sea.

From NewsForKids.net

“I’m so happy, because they said we were going to have the sargassum,” Adriana Campuzano said of predictions earlier this year, as she was gathering her stuff to leave before the looming thunderstorm.

From New York Times