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citrate

American

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

noun

Chemistry.

a salt or ester of citric acid.

citrate British

/ ˈsaɪtreɪt, ˈsɪtreɪt, -rɪt /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

citrate Scientific

/ sĭt′rāt′ /

A salt or ester of citric acid.

Etymology

Origin of citrate

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

See Examples For:

citrate

If magnesium is combined with chloride, it is recommended for muscle tension and pre-menstrual cramps, while citrate and oxide blends are aimed at digestion and help with constipation.

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2025

“American cheese is made with sodium citrate, an emulsifying salt that keeps the cheese creamy and smooth when melted,” she said.

From Salon ● Oct. 12, 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

It is well to give five grains of lithium citrate dissolved in a glass of hot water every three hours.

From The Home Medical Library, Volume II (of VI) by Kenelm Winslow

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023