Planktonic

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /plaÅ‹kˈtÉ’nɪk/
• US IPA: /plæŋkˈtÉ‘nɪk/

Origin

From plankton + -ic, after German planktonisch.

Full definition of planktonic

Adjective

1. Of or pertaining to plankton.
• 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society 2011, p. 146:Tiny shells of planktonic animals rain down from the surface waters of the ocean on to the deep sea-floor.
2. Floating in the open sea rather than living on the seafloor.