C1nounnaturescience
US/ˈplæŋk.tən/
UK/ˈplæŋk.tən/
very small plants and animals that float in the sea and are food for many sea creatures
In context
Whales filter huge amounts of plankton from the water to feed.
Plankton form the base of the ocean food chain.
Warmer water can reduce the plankton that small fish depend on.
Words that go with plankton
verb + preposition
- feed on planktonBasking sharks feed on plankton near the surface.
adjective + noun
- marine planktonMarine plankton produces much of the oxygen we breathe.
- microscopic planktonMicroscopic plankton drift with the ocean currents.
noun + noun
- plankton bloomA plankton bloom turned the water green.
- plankton populationThe plankton population fell sharply last year.
adjective + preposition
- rich in planktonThe cold water is rich in plankton.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
a planktonCorrect: plankton