phosphoric

American

[fos-fawr-ik, -for-] / fɒsˈfɔr ɪk, -ˈfɒr- /

adjective

Chemistry.

of or containing phosphorus, especially in the pentavalent state.

phosphoric British

/ fɒsˈfɒrɪk /

adjective

of or containing phosphorus in the pentavalent state

"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 phosphoric

First recorded in 1775–85; phosphor- + -ic

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:

phosphoric

They then dissolved the powdered enamel in phosphoric acid, releasing carbon dioxide gas that contained the isotope bonds they wanted to study.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2026

It is then converted into sulfuric acid, which reacts with mined phosphate rock to produce phosphoric acid used to make phosphate fertilizers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

The tanker, which had been carrying a cargo of phosphoric acid, was identified as the Central Park by the vessel's company.

From Reuters ● Nov. 26, 2023

“The Turkish-captained vessel has a multinational crew consisting of a crew of Russian, Vietnamese, Bulgarian, Indian, Georgian, and Filipino nationals. The vessel is carrying a full cargo of phosphoric acid.”

From Washington Times ● Nov. 26, 2023

In the brief phosphoric flashes her taut wrists were white with exertion.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

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