autotroph

noun

au·​to·​troph ˈȯ-tə-ˌtrōf How to pronounce autotroph (audio)
-ˌträf
: an autotrophic organism

Examples of autotroph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Only those bacteria that had evolved into autotrophs survived. Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, 27 Nov. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'autotroph.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably from nominal use of German autotroph autotrophic

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of autotroph was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near autotroph

Cite this Entry

“Autotroph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autotroph. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

autotroph

noun
au·​to·​troph ˈȯt-ə-ˌtrōf How to pronounce autotroph (audio)
-ˌträf
: an organism (as a plant) that can make its own food from substances that do not come from other living things
autotrophic
ˌȯt-ə-ˈtrō-fik
adjective

Medical Definition

autotroph

noun
au·​to·​troph ˈȯt-ə-ˌtrōf How to pronounce autotroph (audio) -ˌträf How to pronounce autotroph (audio)
: an autotrophic organism

More from Merriam-Webster on autotroph

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