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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
Remarkably, some of Di Muro’s clothing contained clear traces of diatoms matching samples taken from the lake.
—Jordan Michael Smith, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024
These are the remains of shells, sea urchins, coral, plankton, and diatoms that drifted down to what was a seabed 25 million years ago, forming thick sheets of limestone.
—Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024
And only a single diatom species matched the tap water taken from his home.
—Jordan Michael Smith, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024
Unfortunately, Di Muro’s mother had washed his clothes after the evening of the murder—but diatoms can often survive a trip through the washing machine.
—Jordan Michael Smith, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024
Dinoflagellates and diatoms are the two main types of phytoplankton classes, according to the National Ocean Service.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2023
Their observations supported the endosymbiotic theory of how the diatoms acquired the extra membrane around their chloroplasts.
—Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 6 July 2023
Yee found that the same proton pump also helps diatoms make their tough silica shell.
—Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 6 July 2023
The team will expand their research to imaging other fossil deposits to discover whether the diatom mats are also linked to preservation more broadly.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 26 Apr. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diatom.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near diatom
Cite this Entry
“Diatom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diatom. Accessed 13 Jun. 2024.
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on diatom
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diatom
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