The building of chemical compounds (carbohydrates that plants need for growth) from light energy, water and carbon dioxide (or CO2).
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
photosynthesis (noun) synthesis of chemical compounds with the aid of radiant energy and especially light , especially formation of carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and a source of hydrogen (as water) in the chlorophyll-containing tissues of plants exposed to light
light synthesis, photochemical process, solar energy conversion, chlorophyll reaction, plant energy production
