hydroxyapatite

American

[hahy-drok-see-ap-uh-tahyt] / haɪˌdrɒk siˈæp əˌtaɪt /

noun

a mineral, Ca 10 (PO4 ) 6 OH 2 , that is the principal storage form of calcium and phosphorus in bone.

Etymology

Origin of hydroxyapatite

First recorded in 1910–15; hydroxy- + apatite

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.

Their work began with an artificial bone framework made of hydroxyapatite, a natural mineral found in teeth and bones.

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2025

The more hydroxyapatite crystals detected, the healthier the bones are.

From Salon • May 1, 2024

Previous analyses of the adhesive found inorganic materials similar to cement, and hydroxyapatite, a mineral obtained from ground teeth and bones.

From Science Magazine • May 20, 2022

Bone matrix consists of collagen fibers and organic ground substance, primarily hydroxyapatite formed from calcium salts.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Metal pegs to you, but very special metal pegs, developed by a team from University College London, and coated with hydroxyapatite, which encourages bone cells to grow on to the metal.

From The Guardian • Jul. 1, 2010

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