sargassum

[ sahr-gas-uhm ]

noun

1. any seaweed of the genus Sargassum, widely distributed in the warmer waters of the globe, as S. bacciferum, the common gulfweed.

sargassum

/ sɑːˈɡæsəm; sɑːˈɡæsəʊ /

noun

1. any floating brown seaweed of the genus Sargassum, such as gulfweed, of warm seas, having ribbon-like fronds containing air sacs

Word History and Origins

Origin of sargassum¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1900–05; sargasso

Word History and Origins

Origin of sargassum¹

C18: from New Latin; see sargasso

Example Sentences

Researchers have been working to track and study floating sargassum, a prolific seaweed swamping Caribbean and West African shorelines, and causing environmental and economic harm.

From Science Daily

As the sargassum piles up on beaches, it makes it hard for mother sea turtles to lay eggs, and nearly impossible for baby turtles to return to the sea.

From NewsForKids.net

“I’m so happy, because they said we were going to have the sargassum,” Adriana Campuzano said of predictions earlier this year, as she was gathering her stuff to leave before the looming thunderstorm.

From New York Times

Scientists said they had expected the sargassum in the Gulf of Mexico to wane eventually — but not so fast, or by so much.

From New York Times

"I've seen things like sargassum seaweed clogging up the Caribbean," adds Harris.

From BBC