Photosynthesis

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ËŒfəʊ.təʊˈsɪn.θə.sɪs/
• US IPA: /ËŒfoÊŠtoʊˈsɪnθəsɪs/

Origin

- + synthesis

Full definition of photosynthesis

Noun

1. (biology) The process by which plants and other photoautotrophs generate carbohydrates and oxygen from carbon dioxide, water, and light energy.
• 2013, Katie L. Burke, In the News, Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis: the ability to convert water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and waste oxygen using solar energy.

Related terms

• photosynthesise/photosynthesize
• photosynthetic
• photosynthetically