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sulfate

American  
[suhl-feyt] / ˈsʌl feɪt /

noun

  1. Chemistry. a salt or ester of sulfuric acid.


verb (used with object)

sulfated, sulfating
  1. to combine, treat, or impregnate with sulfuric acid, a sulfate, or sulfates.

  2. to convert into a sulfate.

  3. Electricity. to form a deposit of lead-sulfate compound on (the lead electrodes of a storage battery).

verb (used without object)

sulfated, sulfating
  1. to become sulfated.

sulfate Scientific  
/ sŭlfāt′ /
  1. A salt or ester of sulfuric acid, containing the group SO 4.


Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of sulfate

From the New Latin word sulphātum, dating back to 1780–90. See sulfur, -ate 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, other ice core records reveal a large volcanic sulfate spike that lines up precisely with the onset of cooling around 12,870 years ago.

From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2026

The newly identified ferric hydroxysulfate has a crystal structure similar to szomolnokite, a monohydrated ferrous sulfate.

From Science Daily • Mar. 10, 2026

It will reportedly be the first factory in Africa to refine lithium concentrate into lithium sulfate -- a powdered form that is one step closer to the product used in batteries.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

The findings were published in Science Signaling in a paper titled "Leukocytes have a heparan sulfate glycocalyx that regulates recruitment during psoriasis-like skin inflammation."

From Science Daily • Feb. 25, 2026

The treatment is bed rest, which he desperately needs anyway, injections of zinc sulfate, and quinine tablets.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

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