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nekton

[nek-ton, -tuhn]

noun

  1. the aggregate of actively swimming aquatic organisms in a body of water, able to move independently of water currents.

nekton

/ ˈɛɒ /

noun

  1. the population of free-swimming animals that inhabits the middle depths of a sea or lake Compare plankton

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

nekton

  1. The collection of marine and freshwater organisms that can swim freely and are generally independent of currents, ranging in size from microscopic organisms to whales.

  2. Compare benthos plankton

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Other Word Forms

  • nektonic adjective
  • ԱˈٴDzԾ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of nekton1

1890–95; < German, noun use of neuter of ŧó swimming (verbid of ḗc𾱲 to swim; nectopod )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of nekton1

C19: via German from Greek ŧٴDz a swimming thing, from ŧ𾱲 to swim
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He proceeded to draw divisions between the bottom organisms without power of motion, benthon, the nekton motile life in mid-water, and the plankton or floating life.

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