kelp

[ kelp ]

noun

1. any large, brown, cold-water seaweed of the family Laminariaceae, used as food and in various manufacturing processes.
2. a bed or mass of such seaweeds.
3. the ash of these seaweeds.

verb (used without object)

1. to burn these seaweeds for their ash.

kelp

/ kɛlp /

noun

1. any large brown seaweed, esp any in the order Laminariales
2. the ash of such seaweed, used as a source of iodine and potash

kelp

/ kĕlp /

1. Any of various brown, often very large seaweeds that grow in colder ocean regions. Kelps are varieties of brown algae of the order Laminariales, with some species growing over 61 m (200 ft) long. Kelps are harvested as food (primarily in eastern Asia), as fertilizer, and for their sodium and potassium salts, used in industrial processes. Kelps are also a source of thickening agents and colloid stabilizers used in many commercial products.
2. See more at brown alga

Word History and Origins

Origin of kelp¹

1350–1400; apparently dialectal variant of Middle English culp < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of kelp¹

C14: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Tube-snout fish eggs glimmer among golden kelp, their colours fading as they develop.

From BBC

The proposed sanctuary will protect over 200 shipwrecks, along with a diverse ecosystem featuring wildlife such as sea otters, humpback whales, leatherback sea turtles and lush kelp forests.

From Salon

For example, nori is well known as the seaweed used to wrap sushi rolls, while wakame or kelp are often found in comforting ramen noodle dishes.

From Salon

Researchers learned that sessile invertebrates -- those that stay in one place, such as mussels and barnacles -- became more abundant during the study period, while seaweed species like kelps declined.

From Science Daily

Seaweed cultivation reduces carbon by increasing biomass through growing massive kelp beds in the deep ocean.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• seaweed