organophosphate

[ awr-guh-noh-fos-feyt, awr-gan-uh‐ ]

/ ˌɔr gə noʊˈfɒs feɪt, ɔrˌgæn ə‐ /

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noun

Biochemistry. any of a variety of organic compounds that contain phosphorus and often have intense neurotoxic activity: originally developed as nerve gases, now widely used as insecticides and fire retardants.

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Also called or·ga·no·phos·pho·rus com·pounds

[awr-guh-noh-fos-fer-uhs, awr-gan-uh‐]. /ˌɔr gə noʊˈfɒs fər əs, ɔrˌgæn ə‐/.

Origin of organophosphate

First recorded in 1945–50; organo- + phosphate

Words nearby organophosphate

organomagnesium, organomegaly, organomercurial, organometallic, organon, organophosphate, organosilicon, organosiloxane, organotherapy, organotin, organotrophic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use organophosphate in a sentence

The researchers can swap in sensors for other pathogens, including influenza, Ebola, and Zika, or sensors they have developed to detect organophosphate nerve agents.
Multifunction masks|Anne Trafton|August 24, 2021|MIT Technology Review

British Dictionary definitions for organophosphate

organophosphate

/ (ɔːˌɡænəʊˈfɒsfeɪt) /

noun

any of a group of organic compounds containing phosphate groups and used as a pesticide

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

Medical definitions for organophosphate

organophosphate

[ ôr′găn′ə-fŏs′fāt ]

Any of several organic compounds containing phosphorus, some of which are used as fertilizers and pesticides.