sargassum

[sahr-gas-uh m]

noun

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

Origin of sargassum

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sargassum

Historical Examples of sargassum

I cannot admit the Sargassum case to be parallel with that of Confervae or Oscillatoria.
More Letters of Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
Edward Forbes supposed that the Sargassum or Gulf-weed represents the littoral sea-weeds of a now submerged continent.
More Letters of Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
Sargassum is distinguished by its differentiation into stem and leaf, resembling in outward appearance the higher plants.
The Sea-beach at Ebb-tide
Augusta Foote Arnold
The sargassum and the almonds of the stone-pine completed the repast, during which the engineer spoke little.
The Mysterious Island
Jules Verne
Sea-lentil is a name sometimes applied to the gulfweed Sargassum vulgare.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 16, Slice 4
Various

British Dictionary definitions for sargassum

sargassum

sargasso (sɑːˈɡæsəʊ)

noun

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

Word Origin for sargassum

C18: from New Latin; see sargasso

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