formate

American  

[fawr-meyt] / ˈfɔr meɪt /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a salt or ester of formic acid.

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formate British  

/ ˈfɔːmeɪt /

noun

1. any salt or ester of formic acid containing the ion HCOO ^– or the group HCOO–

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formate Scientific  

/ fôr′māt′ /

1. A salt or ester of formic acid, containing the group HCOO.

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Etymology

Origin of formate

First recorded in 1800–10; form(ic) + -ate ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

formate

This steers the reaction toward methanol production through the formate pathway.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 14, 2026

During fermentation, the microbes release acidic by products including acetate and formate.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 13, 2026

Some gut bacteria can produce lactate and formate themselves, highlighting the importance of 'cross-feeding'.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 8, 2026

Formic acid, the protonated form of formate, is already manufactured at an industrial scale.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 3, 2026

Pour similar sets of plates in glucose formate gelatine and agar and incubate in Bulloch's anaerobic apparatus.

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by J. W. H. (John William Henry) Eyre