chemosynthesis
noun
che·mo·syn·the·sis
ˌkē-mō-ˈsin(t)-thə-səs 
: synthesis of organic compounds (as in living cells) by energy derived from inorganic chemical reactions
Examples of chemosynthesis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This process, called chemosynthesis, supports entire food webs in the absence of sunlight.
—
Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
The bacteria living inside clam and tube worm species then use this methane for chemosynthesis to survive, Du said.
—Marlowe Starling, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025
The sun’s rays don’t reach these depths, so the creatures rely on chemosynthesis — the process of converting chemicals into food — rather than photosynthesis.
—Jackson Peck, NBC news, 31 July 2025
Unlike plants or algae that rely on sunlight for energy, the organisms in these caves appear to sustain themselves through chemosynthesis—deriving energy from chemical reactions, much like life forms found in deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Autotrophic bacteria create their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 13 Oct. 2024
While the proposal remains unproven, the discovery of chemosynthesis opened our eyes to new places that could host life.
—Ashley Balzer Vigil, Ars Technica, 28 Dec. 2023
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Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
The bacteria living inside clam and tube worm species then use this methane for chemosynthesis to survive, Du said.
—Marlowe Starling, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025
The sun’s rays don’t reach these depths, so the creatures rely on chemosynthesis — the process of converting chemicals into food — rather than photosynthesis.
—Jackson Peck, NBC news, 31 July 2025
Unlike plants or algae that rely on sunlight for energy, the organisms in these caves appear to sustain themselves through chemosynthesis—deriving energy from chemical reactions, much like life forms found in deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Autotrophic bacteria create their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 13 Oct. 2024
While the proposal remains unproven, the discovery of chemosynthesis opened our eyes to new places that could host life.
—Ashley Balzer Vigil, Ars Technica, 28 Dec. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Chemosynthesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chemosynthesis. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
chemosynthesis
noun
che·mo·syn·the·sis
-ˈsin(t)-thə-səs
plural chemosyntheses
: synthesis of organic compounds (as in living cells) by energy derived from inorganic chemical reactions
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