kelp

noun

plural kelps or kelp
1
a
: any of various large marine brown algae that are large seaweeds (order Laminariales) growing in cool waters
Only canopy-forming kelp are visible on the sea surface.Glenn Scherer
Kelps grow fast, drawing on all the minerals and vitamins and nutrients they can from the watershed and the sun.Zachariah Bryan
… thickets of kelp forming submarine forests in the bay.Jeff Phillips
see also bladder kelp, bull kelp, giant kelp
b
: a mass or growth of large seaweeds
The kelp near the outer islands teems with marine plants and animals in far greater abundance than it does closer to the coast …John L. Stein
2
a
: a blade (see blade entry 1 sense 2e) of kelp that is usually dried and used as food (as in sushi or soups)
b
: a dietary supplement containing processed kelp
c
: the ashes of seaweed used formerly especially as a source of iodine

Examples of kelp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As for recreational abalone diving on the North Coast, it’s been shut down since the kelp forest collapsed (commercial abalone diving was banned long ago). David Helvarg, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024 Unfortunately, local kelp forests have declined by more than 80% in size over the past decade due to warmer waters and unchecked predation by urchins. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Since urchins eat kelp, otters’ predation also plays a role in helping kelp forests grow. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 Spend the morning snorkeling with the knowledgeable chef and learn about the 11 varieties of seaweed surrounding the island (like grass kelp, bladderwrack, and sugar-kelp—used in the seaweed creams in the bathroom and also served at dinner). Michelle Tchea, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2024 Sea kelp helps as a natural acne fighting ingredient, while aloe vera keeps your skin soft and bacteria-free. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 21 Jan. 2024 And if sea otters were to suffer such losses, that would endanger the health of California’s vast kelp forests, which would be left prey to sea urchins, said Christine Johnson, professor of epidemiology and ecosystem health at UC Davis. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024 The bird is native to the South African coast and up west to Namibia, a region that Holly Rosenblum, senior biologist at the California Academy of Sciences, said was reminiscent of the California coast and its diverse kelp forests. Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2024 Around 7 percent to 11 percent of the kelp will sink naturally as blades break off and settle, preliminary research suggests. Saima May Sidik, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kelp.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English culp

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of kelp was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near kelp

Cite this Entry

“Kelp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kelp. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

kelp

noun
: any of various large brown seaweeds
also : a mass of these

Medical Definition

kelp

noun
1
: any of various large marine brown algae that are large seaweeds (order Laminariales) growing in cool waters
2
a
: a dietary supplement containing processed kelp
b
: the ashes of seaweed used formerly especially as a source of iodine

More from Merriam-Webster on kelp

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