# chlorophyll

/ˈkɫɔɹəfɪɫ/ (US) · /klˌɔːɹəʊfˈɪl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chlorophyll
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

the green substance in plants that helps them turn sunlight into food. It is what makes leaves look green and allows plants to grow.

For teachers: the green pigment in plants and algae that is essential for photosynthesis. It absorbs light energy from the sun and converts it into chemical energy.

## Examples

- Chlorophyll gives leaves their green color.
- During the autumn, the chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down, revealing the yellow and orange pigments underneath.
- The efficiency of chlorophyll in capturing solar energy is a primary factor in the productivity of terrestrial ecosystems, as it directly influences the rate of carbon fixation in the atmosphere.

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