eutrophic

[ yoo-trof-ik, -troh-fik ]
/ yuˈtrɒf ɪk, -ˈtroʊ fɪk /

adjective

Medicine/Medical. relating to or being in a condition of eutrophy, or healthy or adequate nutrition or development.
Ecology. (of a lake) characterized by an abundant accumulation of nutrients that support a dense growth of algae and other organisms, the decay of which depletes the shallow waters of oxygen in summer. Compare oligotrophic.

Origin of eutrophic

First recorded in 1880–85; eutroph(y) + -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM eutrophic

eu·troph·i·ca·tion, noun

Words nearby eutrophic

euthyroid, eutocia, eutonic, eutopia, eutrophia, eutrophic, eutrophication, eutrophy, eutychianus, euxenite, euxine

Example sentences from the Web for eutrophication

  • Eutrophication is the scientific name of this kind of overenrichment.

    The Nation's River |United States Department of the Interior

British Dictionary definitions for eutrophication (1 of 2)

eutrophication
/ (juːˌtrɒfɪˈkeɪʃən) /

noun

a process by which pollution from such sources as sewage effluent or leachate from fertilized fields causes a lake, pond, or fen to become overrich in organic and mineral nutrients, so that algae and cyanobacteria grow rapidly and deplete the oxygen supply

British Dictionary definitions for eutrophication (2 of 2)

eutrophic
/ (juːˈtrɒfɪk, -ˈtrəʊ-) /

adjective

(of lakes and similar habitats) rich in organic and mineral nutrients and supporting an abundant plant life, which in the process of decaying depletes the oxygen supply for animal life Compare oligotrophic

Derived forms of eutrophic

eutrophy, noun

Word Origin for eutrophic

C18: probably from eutrophy, from Greek eutrophia sound nutrition, from eutrophos well-fed, from eu- + trephein to nourish

Medical definitions for eutrophication

eutrophic
[ yōō-trŏf′ĭk, -trō′fĭk ]

adj.

Relating to, characterized by, or promoting eutrophia.

Scientific definitions for eutrophication (1 of 2)

eutrophication
[ yōō-trŏf′ĭ-kā′shən ]

The process by which a lake, pond, or stream becomes eutrophic, typically as a result of mineral and organic runoff from the surrounding land. The increased growth of plants and algae that accompanies eutrophication depletes the dissolved oxygen content of the water and often causes a die-off of other organisms.

Scientific definitions for eutrophication (2 of 2)

eutrophic
[ yōō-trŏf′ĭk, -trō′fĭk ]

Having waters rich in phosphates, nitrates, and organic nutrients that promote a proliferation of plant life, especially algae. Used of a lake, pond, or stream. Compare dystrophic oligotrophic.