kelp

Everyday

1. Kelp is a large brown seaweed that grows in the sea, often in long ribbons or tall underwater forests. tree →
2. Kelp can also mean seaweed used as food or as fertiliser. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons kelp shows that not all big «plants» in the sea are true plants; kelp is a kind of algae that makes food from sunlight. Kelp forests give homes and food to fish, sea otters, crabs and sea urchins, and are found in cool seas off places like California, Canada, Tasmania and New Zealand. On the beach kelp washes up in tangled heaps. Phrases: «kelp forest», «a strand of kelp».

Examples

• Sea otters wrap themselves in kelp so they do not drift away while sleeping. tree →
• We found a long strand of kelp washed up on the beach. tree →
• Kelp forests are full of fish. tree →
• Kelp can grow very fast in cold seawater. tree →
• Some people eat dried kelp in soups. tree →
• The diver swam slowly through the kelp. tree →
• Be careful not to get tangled in kelp when swimming. tree →
• The kelp felt slimy and rubbery. tree →

Note

Usually uncountable: «some kelp», «a piece/strand of kelp». Kelp is seaweed, which is algae, not a true plant with roots and flowers; its «holdfast» only grips rocks. Safety: kelp can tangle swimmers, so swim away from thick kelp beds.