gulfweed

[ guhlf-weed ]

noun

1. a coarse, olive-brown, branching seaweed, Sargassum bacciferum, common in the Gulf Stream and tropical American seas, characterized by numerous berrylike air vessels.
2. any seaweed of the same genus.

gulfweed

/ ˈɡʌlfˌwiːd /

noun

1. any brown seaweed of the genus Sargassum, esp S. bacciferum, having air bladders and forming dense floating masses in tropical Atlantic waters, esp the Gulf Stream Also calledsargassosargasso weed

Word History and Origins

Origin of gulfweed¹

First recorded in 1665–75; gulf + weed ¹

Example Sentences

About the fourth day, from the upper deck or the ship's bow, I begin to see floating patches of seaweed—gulfweed or sargasso as it is called.

From Project Gutenberg

This gulfweed, the swimming gulfweed or berry carrier, is the chief substance making up this immense shoal.

From Project Gutenberg

The name Sargasso comes from the Spanish word sargazo, meaning gulfweed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• algae