phosphatase

American

[fos-fuh-teys, -teyz] / ˈfɒs fəˌteɪs, -ˌteɪz /

noun

Biochemistry.

any of several classes of esterases of varying specificity that catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphoric esters.

phosphatase British

/ ˈfɒsfəˌteɪs, -ˌteɪz /

noun

any of a group of enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of organic phosphates

"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 phosphatase

First recorded in 1910–15; phosphate + -ase

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 younger forests, where nitrogen tends to be the most limiting nutrient, adding phosphorus did not change phosphatase activity, but adding nitrogen did.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2024

It targets the enzyme TC-PTP, or T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase, in cells and deletes it.

From Science Daily • Nov. 14, 2023

As advertised, the drug is lowering levels of an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase in their blood, and that should be a sign of healing for their autoimmune disease, called primary biliary cholangitis.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 3, 2022

The drug is designed to replace alkaline phosphatase and to improve bone health.

From Washington Post • Jul. 9, 2022

Osteoporosis does not have the elevated blood levels of alkaline phosphatase found in Paget’s disease.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

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