Word
seaweed
Phoneticssea·weed, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsiˌwid/
UK/sˈiːwiːd/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. plants that grow in the sea or on rocks by the ocean. You can find it on the beach, and some types are used in cooking.
n. large algae growing in the sea or on rocks below the high-water mark. Often used as a collective term for various marine macroalgae.
Examples
“The beach was covered in green seaweed after the storm.”
“Many coastal cultures harvest seaweed to use as a nutrient-rich ingredient in soups and salads.”
“Marine biologists are studying how certain species of seaweed can sequester carbon dioxide more efficiently than land-based forests, potentially mitigating the effects of climate change.”
Examples
simple
“The beach was covered in green seaweed after the storm.”
contextual
“Many coastal cultures harvest seaweed to use as a nutrient-rich ingredient in soups and salads.”
complex
“Marine biologists are studying how certain species of seaweed can sequester carbon dioxide more efficiently than land-based forests, potentially mitigating the effects of climate change.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the plant material in general; countable when referring to specific biological species.
Etymology
From sea + weed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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