sargassum

American

[sahr-gas-uhm] / sɑrˈgæs əm /

noun

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

sargassum British

/ sɑːˈɡæsəm, sɑːˈɡæsəʊ /

noun

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

"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

Etymology

Origin of sargassum

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The findings highlight the need for beach management strategies that adapt to the rapid spread of sargassum.

From Science Daily • Nov. 24, 2025

Leatherbacks needed 54% more time to cross light sargassum and 158% more time to cross heavy sargassum.

From Science Daily • Nov. 24, 2025

"For sea turtle hatchlings, reaching the ocean is already a race against time -- and survival. Now, increasingly large mats of sargassum are adding new challenges to this critical journey," said Milton.

From Science Daily • Nov. 24, 2025

The idea that it could have a valuable purpose was suggested by one of her students, Brittney McKenzie, who had observed the volume of trucks being deployed to transport sargassum from Barbados’ beaches.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2024

They had a pleasant supper, and the meat of the cabiai was proclaimed excellent; the sargassum and pistachio-nuts completed the repast.

From The Mysterious Island by White, Stephen W.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023