English · Nature & Environment
algae
/ˈæl.dʒiː/
[/ˈæl.dʒiː/]
simple water plants
Intermediatenoun
Definition
Simple plant-like organisms, mostly aquatic, that make food through photosynthesis but lack true roots and leaves.
Example
A bloom of green algae spread across the pond after weeks of warm, still weather.
A bloom of green algae spread across the pond after weeks of warm, still weather.
Etymology
From Latin 'alga', meaning seaweed.
How & Where It’s Used
Used in biology and environmental science; 'algae' is plural, 'alga' singular.