-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
chloroplast
noun
chlo·ro·plast
ˈklȯr-ə-ˌplast
: a plastid that contains chlorophyll and is the site of photosynthesis see cell illustration
Examples of chloroplast in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Previous evolutionary trees of plants built by scientists often used the genome of the chloroplast, the organelle that allows plants to perform photosynthesis.
—Veronique Greenwood, New York Times, 11 May 2024
Where the ‘powerhouse of the cell’ and chloroplasts come from
Primary endosymbiosis happens when one microbial organism engulfs another.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2024
After being swallowed by the slug, the algal cells continue to live in its digestive system, their chloroplasts photosynthesizing and producing energy, which is then used by the slug.
—Helen Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
Two possibilities stand out: chloroplasts and mitochondria, both organelles that float around inside plant cells.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024
But photosynthesis, which occurs in chloroplasts, produces oxygen, and oxygen destroys nitrogenase.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024
That timing is similar to the origin of the photosynthetic cyanobacteria, which both continue to live independently and have been incorporated into plant cells as chloroplasts.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2024
Similarly, plant cells probably acquired chloroplasts, which capture the energy of sunlight, from some early parasite or symbiont.
—Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
The pump transferred protons from the cytoplasm to the compartment between the extra membrane and the chloroplast.
—Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 6 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chloroplast.' 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
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
1887, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near chloroplast
Cite this Entry
“Chloroplast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chloroplast. Accessed 2 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
chloroplast
noun
chlo·ro·plast
ˈklōr-ə-ˌplast
ˈklȯr-
: a cellular part that contains chlorophyll and is the location of photosynthesis
Medical Definition
chloroplast
noun
chlo·ro·plast
ˈklōr-ə-ˌplast, ˈklȯr-
: a plastid that contains chlorophyll and is the site of photosynthesis and starch formation
More from Merriam-Webster on chloroplast
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chloroplast
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share