First Known Use: 1898
Dictionary
photosynthesis
noun pho·to·syn·the·sis \-ˈsin(t)-thə-səs\
biology : the process by which a green plant turns water and carbon dioxide into food when the plant is exposed to light
Full Definition of PHOTOSYNTHESIS
: synthesis of chemical compounds with the aid of radiant energy and especially light; especially : formation of carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and a source of hydrogen (as water) in the chlorophyll-containing cells (as of green plants) exposed to light
— pho·to·syn·the·size \-ˌsīz\ intransitive verb
— pho·to·syn·thet·ic \-sin-ˈthe-tik\ adjective
— pho·to·syn·thet·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
See photosynthesis defined for English-language learners
See photosynthesis defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of PHOTOSYNTHESIS
New Latin
Other Botany Terms
PHOTOSYNTHESIZE Defined for Kids
photosynthesis
noun pho·to·syn·the·sis \ˌfō-tə-ˈsin-thə-səs\
Definition of PHOTOSYNTHESIS for Kids
: the process by which green plants and a few other organisms (as some protists) form carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of light
— pho·to·syn·thet·ic \-sin-ˈthe-tik\ adjective <photosynthetic activity>
Medical Dictionary
photosynthesis
noun pho·to·syn·the·sis \ˌfōt-ō-ˈsin(t)-thə-səs\
plural pho·to·syn·the·ses
Medical Definition of PHOTOSYNTHESIS
: synthesis of chemical compounds with the aid of light sometimes including the near infrared or near ultraviolet; especially : the formation of carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and a source of hydrogen (as water) in chlorophyll-containing cells (as of green plants) exposed to light involving a photochemical release of oxygen through the decomposition of water followed by various enzymatic synthetic reactions that usually do not require the presence of light
—pho·to·syn·the·size \-ˌsīz\ also British pho·to·syn·the·sise intransitive verb, pho·to·syn·the·sized also British pho·to·syn·the·sised pho·to·syn·the·siz·ing also British pho·to·syn·the·sis·ing
—pho·to·syn·thet·ic \-sin-ˈthet-ik\ adjective
—pho·to·syn·thet·i·cal·ly \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Learn More About PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: photosynthetic ratioPrevious Word in the Dictionary: photosynthateAll Words Near: photosynthesis
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up photosynthesis? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).