Plankton

/ˈplæŋktən/

Meaning & Definition

noun

Small organisms that drift or float in water, typically microscopic, and serve as a primary food source for larger aquatic animals.

Plankton forms the base of the aquatic food web, supporting species from tiny fish to large whales.

The collective mass of such organisms found in a specific body of water.

The plankton in the ocean varies significantly with the changing seasons.

Any of the minute aquatic organisms that drift with currents, including phytoplankton and zooplankton.

Scientists are studying phytoplankton to understand their role in carbon cycling.

Derived from the Greek 'planktos', meaning 'wanderer' or 'drifter'.

plankton bloom

A rapid increase in the population of plankton in a water body, often due to favorable conditions.

plankton net

A specialized net used to collect samples of plankton for study.

phytoplankton

Plant-like plankton that performs photosynthesis.

zooplankton

Animal-like plankton that consumes phytoplankton.

Someone or something that drifts along without direction.

He's just a plankton in the corporate world, going with the flow.

A person of little importance or influence.

In that big organization, I'm just plankton, not a decision-maker.