nekton

noun

nek·​ton ˈnek-tən How to pronounce nekton (audio)
-ˌtän
: free-swimming aquatic animals essentially independent of wave and current action
nektonic
nek-ˈtä-nik How to pronounce nekton (audio)
adjective

Word History

Etymology

German Nekton, from Greek nēkton, neuter of nēktos swimming, from nēchein to swim — more at natant

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nekton was in 1893

Dictionary Entries Near nekton

Nejd

nekton

nell

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Nekton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nekton. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

nekton

noun
nek·​ton ˈnek-tən How to pronounce nekton (audio)
-ˌtän
: strong-swimming water-dwelling animals (as whales, sharks, or squid) that are largely independent of the action of waves and currents

More from Merriam-Webster on nekton

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nekton

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