Meaning of the word plankton in English

What does plankton mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

plankton

US /ˈplæŋk.tən/
UK /ˈplæŋk.tən/
"plankton" picture

Noun

microscopic organisms floating in water, including both animals (zooplankton) and plants (phytoplankton), that form the base of the marine food web

Example:
Whales feed on vast quantities of plankton.
The ocean's health depends on the abundance of plankton.