chlorophyll

/ˌklɔrəˈfɪl/

/ˈklɔrəfɪl/

Other forms: chlorophylls

Chlorophyll makes plants green. It's basically a group of green pigments used by organisms that convert sunlight into energy via photosynthesis.

First used in 1819, the noun chlorophyll derives from the Greek words khloros, meaning "pale green" and phyllon, meaning "a leaf." Plants use chlorophyll to trap energy from the sun. Without this energy, plants would be unable to initiate the process of photosynthesis, which converts water and carbon dioxide into starches that plants can use for food.

Definitions of chlorophyll

1. noun

   any of a group of green pigments found in photosynthetic organisms; there are four naturally occurring forms
   synonyms: chlorophyl

   types:

   chlorophyll a

   a blue-black plant pigment having a blue-green alcohol solution; found in all higher plants

   chlorophyll b

   a dark-green plant pigment having a brilliant green alcohol solution; generally characteristic of higher plants

   chlorofucin, chlorophyll c

   the chlorophyll present in brown algae, diatoms, and flagellates

   chlorophyll d

   the chlorophyll found (together with chlorophyll a) in red algae

   type of:

   pigment

   dry coloring material (especially a powder to be mixed with a liquid to produce paint, etc.)