allelopathy

noun

al·​le·​lop·​a·​thy ə-ˈlē-lə-ˌpa-thē How to pronounce allelopathy (audio)
-ˈle-lə-;
also
ˌa-lə-ˈlä-pə-thē How to pronounce allelopathy (audio)
: the suppression of growth of one plant species by another due to the release of toxic substances
allelopathic adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Allelopathie, from allelo- allelo- + -pathie -pathy

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of allelopathy was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near allelopathy

Cite this Entry

“Allelopathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allelopathy. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!