nekton

noun

nek·​ton ˈnek-tən 

-ˌtän

: free-swimming aquatic animals essentially independent of wave and current action

nektonic

nek-ˈtä-nik 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

German Nekton, from Greek nēkton, neuter of nēktos swimming, from nēchein to swim — more at natant

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

nekton

noun

nek·​ton ˈnek-tən 

-ˌtän

: strong-swimming water-dwelling animals (as whales, sharks, or squid) that are largely independent of the action of waves and currents