phosphate

[fos-feyt]

noun

1. Chemistry.

   1. (loosely) a salt or ester of phosphoric acid.

   2. a tertiary salt of orthophosphoric acid, as sodium phosphate.

2. Agriculture.,  a fertilizing material containing compounds of phosphorus.

3. a carbonated drink of water and fruit syrup containing a little phosphoric acid.

phosphate

/ ˈfɒsfeɪt, fɒsˈfætɪk /

noun

1. any salt or ester of any phosphoric acid, esp a salt of orthophosphoric acid

2. (often plural) any of several chemical fertilizers containing phosphorous compounds

phosphate

1. A salt or ester of phosphoric acid, containing the group PO ₄. Phosphates are important in metabolism and are frequently used in fertilizers.

Other Word Forms

• subphosphate noun
• phosphatic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphate¹

First recorded in 1785–95; phosph- + -ate ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphate¹

C18: from French phosphat; see _phosphorus , _-ate ¹

Example Sentences

Another, an organophosphate called tributyl phosphate, was right at the limit, according to a Navy toxicologist’s review of the findings.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

It has also developed a way of turning that lithium into a lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, cathode material in two more steps.

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Over time, this scaffold continues to attract calcium and phosphate ions, leading to the growth of a protective enamel-like coating around the tooth, according to researchers.

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The cancelled tests are for so-called inorganic pollutants - substances such as nitrates and phosphates that can indicate sewage or agricultural pollution.

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Last week, the FDA approved three natural color additives — calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue and butterfly pea flower extract — to replace them.

Read more on Los Angeles Times