diatom
noun
di·a·tom
ˈdī-ə-ˌtäm 
: any of a class (Bacillariophyceae) of minute planktonic unicellular or colonial algae with silicified skeletons that form diatomaceous earth
Examples of diatom in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This natural powder is made from fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae.
—
Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2024
These deposits contain tiny microfossils of plankton, including organisms such as diatoms and coccolithophores that live on or near the ocean’s surface.
—Suzanne Oconnell, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2024
This iceberg is large enough to interfere with the additional primary production (diatoms, like algae) that is produced as the nutrient rich water that upwells in the Taylor column feeds the phytoplankton.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 15 Aug. 2024
Inside each diatom were four to eight bacterial cells.
—Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2024
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Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2024
These deposits contain tiny microfossils of plankton, including organisms such as diatoms and coccolithophores that live on or near the ocean’s surface.
—Suzanne Oconnell, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2024
This iceberg is large enough to interfere with the additional primary production (diatoms, like algae) that is produced as the nutrient rich water that upwells in the Taylor column feeds the phytoplankton.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 15 Aug. 2024
Inside each diatom were four to eight bacterial cells.
—Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for diatom
Dictionary Entries Near diatom
Cite this Entry
“Diatom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diatom. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diatom
noun
di·a·tom
ˈdī-ə-ˌtäm
: any of a class of minute floating single-celled or colonial algae that are common in fresh and salt water and have a cell wall of silica that remains as a skeleton after death
diatomaceous
adjective
ˌdī-ət-ə-ˈmā-shəs
Medical Definition
diatom
noun
di·a·tom
ˈdī-ə-ˌtäm
: any of a class (Bacillariophyceae) of minute planktonic unicellular or colonial algae with silicified skeletons that form diatomite
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