orthophosphate

American

[awr-thuh-fos-fayt] / 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.

See Examples For:

orthophosphate

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

At the state’s urging, the city began testing in homes to see if the orthophosphate was working its way into the water.

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

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