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Glite Dictionary
macroalga

macroalga

7.5
A large plantlike living thing like seaweed that grows in water
  • noun
  • /ˌmækroʊˈælɡə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : macroalga
  • Kelp is a well-known macroalga that forms underwater forests along many coastlines.

Examples

  • Scientists study macroalgae to understand their role in marine ecosystems.

  • Some macroalgae are harvested for use in food and cosmetics.

  • The macroalga was floating on the surface of the ocean.

  • Many species of macroalgae thrive in coastal waters.

  • Kelp is a well-known macroalga that forms underwater forests along many coastlines.

  • Many species of macroalga can be seen swaying gently in the ocean currents.

  • Some coastal communities rely on harvesting macroalgae for their traditional dishes.

Synonyms

alga
vsmacroalga
66 5.8

A simple green living thing like seaweed that lives in water and makes food from light

is specifically the large visible kind rather than small microscopic forms
seaweed
vsmacroalga
41 1.0

A plant that grows in the sea, often in long green or brown sheets

is a large visible form found in many aquatic environments not only the sea
algae
vsmacroalga
4 3.6

A simple green plant that grows in water and has no roots, stems, or leaves

is one large visible member of the broader group rather than the whole group

How Big

kelp
19 4.9
seaweed
41 1.0
macroalga
  • Specialized
7.5
microalga
  • Specialized
8.1

Surface Forms

macroalga singular
macroalgae plural

Morphology

macroalga = alga (semi-transparent) = macro + alga

The meaning is directly compositional as 'macro-' meaning large plus 'alga', but the classical combining form may not be fully accessible to average learners.

Etymology

Macroalga combines the part macro- ('large') and alga ('seaweed'), like the common word algae. So it simply means 'large seaweed', which is why we use it for visible seaweeds such as kelp.