also: うみわた
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Refers to the porous sea animal or the material derived from it. Can also be used attributively with の.
海綿は海水を吸い込んで栄養を取る。
Sponges take in seawater to obtain nutrients.
台所の海綿が古くなったので
The kitchen sponge got old, so I bought a new one.
Rare native Japanese reading; かいめん is the usual reading.
スポンジ is the common loanword for everyday cleaning sponges, while 海綿 is more formal or biological.
Compound of 海 (sea) and 綿 (cotton), referring to the soft, absorbent sea creature.