photosynthesize

[ foh-tuh-sin-thuh-sahyz ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

photosynthesized, photosynthesizing.

to produce carbohydrates by photosynthesis:
Plants with light green leaves don't photosynthesize as well as those with darker leaves.

verb (used with object)

photosynthesized, photosynthesizing.

to produce by photosynthesis:
Plants photosynthesize sugars from carbon dioxide and water.

photosynthesize

/ ˌ��əʊ��əʊˈ��ɪ��θɪˌ��ɪ�� /

verb

(of plants and some bacteria) to carry out photosynthesis

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of photosynthesize¹

First recorded in 1905–10; photo- ( def ) + synthesize ( def )

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"So phytoplankton use carbon to photosynthesize while things like mussels also use carbon to build their shells."

From

This evolution was punctuated around 30 million years ago with the emergence of a newer, better way to photosynthesize.

From

C4 plants recruit bundle sheath cells, which normally serve as leaf vein support, to photosynthesize alongside mesophyll cells.

From

This would explain how bundle sheath cells in C4 plants gained the ability to photosynthesize.

From

"By altering the expression of these proteins, we can unlock maize's capacity to photosynthesize more efficiently and grow more robustly, even under challenging environmental conditions."

From

photosynthesis photosystem

Browse