nekton

noun

nek·ton ˈnek-tən

-ˌtän

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

nektonic

nek-ˈtä-nik

adjective

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of nekton was in 1893

See more words from the same year

Style

“Nekton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nekton. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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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

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