Definition

Tiny animals that live in water and are part of the plankton community, including creatures like jellyfish and sea anemones.

Example

Zooplankton are an important food source for many fish in the ocean.

Conversation

Have you ever heard about zooplankton and what they do in the ocean?

Yeah, I think they're really important for the marine food chain.

Exactly! They're tiny creatures, but they play a huge role in the ecosystem.

For sure, without zooplankton, many fish wouldn't have food to eat.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Zooplankton → It is formed from "zoo-" (from Greek "zōion", meaning animal) and "plankton" (from Greek "planktos", meaning wandering or drifting). The word "zooplankton" refers to the drifting or wandering animals in aquatic environments.

Memory Tip

Think of 'animal' ('zoo-') that are 'wandering' ('plankton') in the water — that's what zooplankton are.

Visually Confused Words