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View synonyms for

algae

[ al-jee ]

plural noun

singular alga
  1. Microbiology. any of numerous groups of chlorophyll-containing, mainly aquatic, eukaryotic organisms ranging from microscopic single-celled forms to multicellular forms 100 feet (30 meters) or more long, distinguished from plants by the absence of true roots, stems, and leaves and by a lack of nonreproductive cells in the reproductive structures: classified into the six phyla Euglenophyta, Crysophyta, Pyrrophyta, Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta, and Rhodophyta.


algae

/ ˈældʒiː; ˈælɡəl /

plural noun

  1. unicellular or multicellular organisms formerly classified as plants, occurring in fresh or salt water or moist ground, that have chlorophyll and other pigments but lack true stems, roots, and leaves. Algae, which are now regarded as protoctists, include the seaweeds, diatoms, and spirogyra
“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

algae

  1. Primitive organisms that contain chlorophyll but do not have structures, such as xylem and phloem , to transport fluids . Algae sometimes contain only a single cell , and nowadays they are not considered members of the plant kingdom .
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Notes

Algae supply a considerable part of the world's oxygen .
The most familiar algae are the greenish scum that collects in still water.
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Derived Forms

  • algal, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • · [al, -g, uh, l], adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of algae1

First recorded in 1790–1800; from New Latin, plural of Latin alga “s𲹷ɱ”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of algae1

C16: from Latin, plural of alga seaweed, of uncertain origin
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Compare Meanings

How does algae compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The algae bloom was the result of an upswell in the ocean that brought up enough nutrients to the surface to allow the algae to thrive, he said.

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Many adult birds have been poisoned in a major toxic algae bloom, and now young birds are starving too.

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Brown Pelicans across Southern California are filling up wildlife rehabilitation centers, either sick or starving — a dual crisis that wildlife experts believe could be linked to a massive toxic algae bloom.

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This particular algae bloom has appeared four years in a row across California, raising concerns it might be turning into an annual event.

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Over the course of the film, my guesses included telekinesis and algae blooms wafting from Lake Merritt.

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