citrate

American  

[si-treyt, sahy-] / ˈsɪ treɪt, ˈsaɪ- /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a salt or ester of citric acid.

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citrate British  

/ -rɪt, ˈsaɪtreɪt, ˈsɪtreɪt /

noun

1. any salt or ester of citric acid. Salts of citric acid are used in beverages and pharmaceuticals

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citrate Scientific  

/ sĭt′rāt′ /

1. A salt or ester of citric acid.

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Etymology

Origin of citrate

First recorded in 1785–95; citr(ic acid) + -ate ²

Example Sentences

Workers in hazmat suits carefully weigh out magnesium citrate - a compound made by mixing the mineral with citric acid - into shiny, steel containers.

From BBC • Oct. 24, 2025

Sodium citrate — a food-safe salt that binds the cheese and cream together into that iconic velvety texture Kraft first developed back in the 1910s.

From Salon • Jul. 6, 2025

“Magnesium citrate is used before colonoscopies to really get the bowel going,” said Dr. Li.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2024

Decades ago, to prepare for a colonoscopy, patients first had to clean out their colons using laxatives such as castor oil or magnesium citrate, sometimes over several days.

From Washington Post • Jul. 31, 2022

Young children or those with delicate stomach, and those much enfeebled by the primary disease, may take magnesia, either the citrate or the calcined.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various