diatom
noun
di·a·tom
ˈdī-ə-ˌtäm 
: any of a class (Bacillariophyceae) of minute planktonic unicellular or colonial algae with silicified skeletons that form diatomaceous earth
Examples of diatom in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The rice husk, which is mixed with diatomaceous earth — a porous material consisting of fossilised diatoms — provides thermal insulation, repels pests and resists humidity.
—
Faye Bradley, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Drawing on diatoms for inspiration, the UPenn scientists may have come up with something that can benefit the planet almost as much as these tiny organisms.
—New Atlas, 10 July 2025
Analysis shows these birds had ingested high amounts of domoic acid, from a diatom called pseudo-nitzschia, the same chemical that’s poisoned thousands of marine mammals in California this year alone.
—Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
The diatom species Skeletonema marinoi was the only phytoplankton species revived from the samples.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2025
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Faye Bradley, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Drawing on diatoms for inspiration, the UPenn scientists may have come up with something that can benefit the planet almost as much as these tiny organisms.
—New Atlas, 10 July 2025
Analysis shows these birds had ingested high amounts of domoic acid, from a diatom called pseudo-nitzschia, the same chemical that’s poisoned thousands of marine mammals in California this year alone.
—Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
The diatom species Skeletonema marinoi was the only phytoplankton species revived from the samples.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diatom
Cite this Entry
“Diatom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diatom. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diatom
noun
di·a·tom
ˈdī-ə-ˌtäm
: any of a class of minute floating single-celled or colonial algae that are common in fresh and salt water and have a cell wall of silica that remains as a skeleton after death
diatomaceous
adjective
ˌdī-ət-ə-ˈmā-shəs
Medical Definition
diatom
noun
di·a·tom
ˈdī-ə-ˌtäm
: any of a class (Bacillariophyceae) of minute planktonic unicellular or colonial algae with silicified skeletons that form diatomite
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