stonewort

noun

stone·​wort ˈstōn-ˌwərt How to pronounce stonewort (audio)
-ˌwȯrt
: any of various freshwater green algae (order Charales) that have a thallus differentiated into rhizoids and stems with whorls of branchlets and that are often encrusted with calcareous deposits

Examples of stonewort in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Starry stonewort can form dense mats and compete with native plants. Mary Lynn Smith, Star Tribune, 26 June 2021 Starry stonewort was found in Lower Nemahbin Lake and Pewaukee Lake in August, 2019, according to the River Alliance of Wisconsin. Evan Frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2020 Starry stonewort was found in Lower Nemahbin Lake and Pewaukee Lake in August, according to a news release from the River Alliance of Wisconsin. Evan Frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2019 The first Wisconsin detection of starry stonewort was made in 2015 on Little Muskego Lake. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2017 One concern expressed during the workshop was the potential for starry stonewort to spread via duck hunters. Evan Frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2017

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

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stonewort was in 1816

Dictionary Entries Near stonewort

Cite this Entry

“Stonewort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stonewort. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on stonewort

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!