photoautotroph

[ foh-toh-aw-tuh-trof, -trohf ]
/ ˌfoʊ toʊˈɔ təˌtrɒf, -ˌtroʊf /

noun Biology.

any organism that derives its energy for food synthesis from light and is capable of using carbon dioxide as its principal source of carbon.

Origin of photoautotroph

First recorded in 1945–50; photo- + autotroph

OTHER WORDS FROM photoautotroph

pho·to·au·to·troph·ic, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for photoautotrophic

photoautotrophic
/ (ˌfəʊtəʊˌɔːtəʊˈtrɒfɪk) /

adjective

(of plants) capable of using light as the energy source in the synthesis of food from inorganic matter See also photosynthesis

Scientific definitions for photoautotrophic

photoautotroph
[ fō′tō-ôtə-trŏf′, -trōf′ ]

See phototroph.