noun
plankton
PLANG-tuhn
Plankton (noun) means Tiny, often microscopic organisms that drift passively in water rather than swimming against currents. Example: “Whales filter huge amounts of plankton from seawater as they feed.”
noun
1
Tiny, often microscopic organisms that drift passively in water rather than swimming against currents.
"Whales feed on tiny plankton drifting in the ocean."
"The study focused on the role of plankton in the food chain."
"The lake water was full of microscopic plankton."
"Whales filter huge amounts of plankton from seawater as they feed."
"A bloom of plankton turned the bay a murky green."
How to use plankton
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMicroscopic plants and animals that float in oceans and lakes, forming the base of the aquatic food chain.
Common pairings
plankton bloom
feed on plankton
marine plankton
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Word forms
- Plural
- planktons
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Whales filter huge amounts of _____ from seawater as they feed.
Etymology
Coined in German from Greek planktos, "drifting" — the same root idea as "planet," things that wander or drift.
Frequently asked questions
What does “plankton” mean?
The word “plankton” means tiny, often microscopic organisms that drift passively in water rather than swimming against currents. In plain terms, microscopic plants and animals that float in oceans and lakes, forming the base of the aquatic food chain.
How do you pronounce “plankton”?
“Plankton” is pronounced PLANG-tuhn (/ˈplæŋ(k).tən/ in IPA).
How do you use “plankton” in a sentence?
Here is “plankton” used in a sentence: “Whales filter huge amounts of plankton from seawater as they feed.”
What part of speech is “plankton”?
“Plankton” is a noun.
Where does the word “plankton” come from?
The word “plankton” comes from German. Coined in German from Greek planktos, "drifting" — the same root idea as "planet," things that wander or drift.
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