aphotic
Americanadjective
adjective
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characterized by or growing in the absence of light
an aphotic plant
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of or relating to the zone of an ocean below that to which sunlight can penetrate, usually about 90m (300 ft). This is the lowest level at which photosynthesis can take place
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Having no light.
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Relating to the region of a body of water that is not reached by sunlight and in which photosynthesis is unable to occur.
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Compare photic
Etymology
Origin of aphotic
Explanation
Aphotic refers to a place or situation that is completely devoid of light, especially sunlike. For example, you might describe a cave that is so dark that you can't see anything without a flashlight as aphotic. The term aphotic is often used by marine biologists to describe a place in the ocean where sunlight cannot penetrate — the aphotic zone. The depth at which the aphotic zone begins in the ocean depends on many factors. In clear, tropical water sunlight can penetrate deeper and so the aphotic zone starts at greater depths. Aphotic comes from the Greek prefix ἀ, meaning "without", "and phōs, meaning "light."
Vocabulary lists containing aphotic
Earth Science - Middle School
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Earth Science - High School
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Oceanography - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At roughly 3,300 feet below the surface — about 2,000 feet above the sunken ship’s location — even the faintest light has faded, leaving a sunless realm known as the aphotic zone.
From New York Times • Jun. 20, 2024
“But I think all in all, they’re getting some net benefits by being deep and out in that aphotic zone,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2023
The depth is known as the aphotic zone — a part of the ocean where there is little-to-no sunlight, and where there is less marine life than layers above, she said.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2023
The deepest zone of the ocean is known as the aphotic zone.
From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022
The aphotic zone, the neritic zone, the oceanic zone, and the benthic realm.
From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
