plankton
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.”
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.
Word forms
planktons plural, plankton plural
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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