orthophosphate

American

[awr-thuh-fos-feyt] / ˌɔr θəˈfɒs feɪt /

noun

Chemistry.

a salt or ester of orthophosphoric acid, or any compound containing the trivalent group −PO 4 .

orthophosphate British

/ ˌɔːθəʊˈfɒsfeɪt /

noun

any salt or ester of orthophosphoric acid

"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

Etymology

Origin of orthophosphate

First recorded in 1855–60; ortho- + phosphate

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.

In addition to removing all pipes and handing out filters, it also proposed an alternative water treatment method because the standard additive, orthophosphate, can harm waterways.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 1, 2022

The next month, the state issued a permit for the city to pump orthophosphate and polyphosphate into the water to coat the pipes and prevent erosion.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 8, 2021

Then, in May, officials added a new chemical to the water — orthophosphate — that has proved helpful at preventing leaching.

From New York Times • Aug. 24, 2019

The aqueduct treats that with orthophosphate, which protects against the corrosion of lead pipes.

From Washington Times • Feb. 25, 2016

It’s also adapted for the nitrogen source found at the lower levels, and increased ability to use orthophosphate, rather than organic phosphates.

From Scientific American • Apr. 28, 2012

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