Pronunciation: [kˈɛlp] (IPA) 
The word "kelp" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /kɛlp/. This means that the first sound in the word is a "k" sound, followed by a short "e" vowel sound that is pronounced with the tongue in a central position. The final sound in the word is a "p" sound. Kelp is a type of seaweed that is found in cold ocean waters and can be used in a variety of products such as skincare and food supplements.
Kelp is a noun referring to a type of large, brown seaweed that grows in cool ocean waters. It is characterized by its long, leaf-like structure and can reach great lengths, sometimes growing up to 200 feet. Kelp is commonly found in shallow coastal areas, forming dense colonies or forests known as kelp forests.
The term "kelp" is also used to describe the individual plant, as well as the entire plant community. It plays a vital role in marine ecosystems, serving as a primary source of food and shelter for various marine organisms such as fish, sea urchins, and otters. Kelp forests serve as a habitat for a diverse array of marine life, contributing to the overall biodiversity of the ocean.
Apart from its ecological significance, kelp also holds practical value for humans. It is harvested for various purposes, including food, as it is a common ingredient in Japanese cuisine, or as a source of certain substances like iodine and alginate, which are derived from kelp extracts and find application in various industries, ranging from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics.
Kelp is usually brown or green in color due to the presence of the photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll. Its long and flexible blades are anchored to the ocean floor by a structure called a holdfast, which enables the kelp to withstand strong currents and waves. Overall, kelp is a remarkable organism that plays a significant role in marine ecosystems and provides various benefits to both humans and other organisms.
The alkaline produce of sea-weed or wrack when burned; the sea-weed itself.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "kelp" has an interesting etymology. It can be traced back to Old English "cēolop", which referred to the hard parts of seaweed or the ashes obtained from burning seaweed. This Old English term likely originated from an earlier Old Norse word "kelfa" meaning "to cup" or "to lap". The word further evolved over time, and by the 17th century, "kelp" came to refer specifically to the seaweed itself rather than its ashes.
