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

/ ˈnɛktɒn /

noun

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

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

Other Word Forms

• nektonic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nekton¹

1890–95; < German, noun use of neuter of nēktós swimming (verbid of nḗchein to swim; nectopod )

Word History and Origins

Origin of nekton¹

C19: via German from Greek nēkton a swimming thing, from nēkhein to swim

Example Sentences

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.

From Project Gutenberg