What does natant mean?
Natant is a formal biological adjective meaning capable of swimming or living by swimming. It may describe an animal, plant, microorganism, or anatomical form that moves actively through water, and it contrasts with organisms that remain fixed to a surface, such as many sessile marine invertebrates. In ecology, “natant species” refers to members of a community that are adapted to swimming rather than drifting passively or remaining attached. The word can also describe an active stage in the life of an organism that is otherwise stationary during other stages. Although it has a straightforward literal meaning, natant is chiefly encountered in scientific and technical writing rather than everyday speech. Its Latin ancestry is especially transparent: the word comes from the same root associated with the English terms natation and natatory, all of which refer to swimming or movement through water.
adjectiveCapable of swimming or living while swimming in water. The term is chiefly used in biological and ecological contexts.
- Swimming or capable of swimming; living in water by active swimming rather than remaining attached or stationary.
"The lake supports several natant species that spend their entire lives in the water."
"Small natant organisms form an important part of the lake's food web."
"The guide described the fish as a natant species adapted to open water."
"Unlike coral, the natant polyps move freely through the sea."
Natant comes from the Latin for “to swim,” giving this formal label a fittingly aquatic origin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does natant come from?
Natant derives from the Latin present participle natans, meaning “swimming,” of natare, “to swim.” The English adjective was formed directly from that Latin stem and retains its original sense of being able to swim or moving by swimming. Natation and natatory share the same Latin root, while natrix is related through the family of Latin words associated with swimming or swimmers.
Related word forms
How natant is actually used
Natant is uncommon in general language but established in biology, ecology, and marine science. It usually describes an organism or form that swims actively rather than one merely drifting with the water.
Easily confused with natant
Natant describes an organism's ability to swim, whereas nekton is a collective term for organisms that swim actively, regardless of depth.
Natant organisms swim through the water, while neuston live on or near its surface.