phytoplankton
noun
phy·to·plank·ton
ˌfī-tō-ˈplaŋ(k)-tən 
-ˌtän
plural phytoplankton also phytoplanktons
: minute aquatic photosynthetic organisms (such as dinoflagellates, diatoms, and cyanobacteria) : photosynthetic plankton of freshwater or marine environments
Twenty to 40 different species of phytoplankton … can coexist within a single cubic centimeter of water, all vying just for light and a handful of nutrients.—
O. Baker
O. BakerPhytoplankton—myriad small, mostly unicellular algae and bacteria that occupy the surface waters of seas and lakes—dominate aquatic primary production, and over time they have radically altered Earth's atmosphere.—Robert Riding
Robert RidingPhytoplankton form the foundation of marine food chains, and their seasonal blooms are responsible for more than half the photosynthesis, and the resulting production of oxygen, that occurs on Earth.—Robin George Andrews
Robin George AndrewsAntarctic krill are thumb-sized crustaceans that feast on drifting phytoplankton …—Usha Lee McFarling
compare zooplankton
Usha Lee McFarlingExamples of phytoplankton in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Inspired by the way in which phytoplankton harnesses sunlight for energy, the hybrid-electric Blue cruisers use solar panels to capture clean energy and then stores it in advanced batteries to power the engines and hotel load.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 May 2024
Other projects, like collecting phytoplankton readings using a Secchi Disk, may require a few more tools.
—Alisha McDarris, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for phytoplankton 
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 May 2024
Other projects, like collecting phytoplankton readings using a Secchi Disk, may require a few more tools.
—Alisha McDarris, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for phytoplankton
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phytoplankton.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Phytoplankton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phytoplankton. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
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phytoplankton
noun
phy·to·plank·ton
ˌfī-tō-ˈplaŋ(k)-tən
-ˌtän
: plankton that is composed of plants
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