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

Transforming carbon dioxide into formate requires a catalyst, and that has been a major obstacle.

From Science Daily • Feb. 3, 2026

A new study from scientists at Yale University and the University of Missouri shows that catalysts made with manganese can efficiently convert carbon dioxide into formate.

From Science Daily • Feb. 3, 2026

Researchers say a cleaner alternative would be to produce formate directly from carbon dioxide in the air.

From Science Daily • Feb. 3, 2026

Their breakthrough involves a hybrid device that brings together light-absorbing organic polymers and bacterial enzymes to transform sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into formate, a clean fuel that can power additional chemical reactions.

From Science Daily • Nov. 2, 2025

Supposed to act in the blood by being decomposed into chloroform and sodium formate.

From Aids to Forensic Medicine and Toxicology by Robertson, W. G. Aitchison (William George Aitchison )