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

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Origin of PHOTOSYNTHESIS

New Latin

First Known Use: 1898

Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

PHOTOSYNTHETIC 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