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phosphorous

American  
[fos-fer-uhs, fos-fawr-uhs, -fohr-] / ˈfɒs fər əs, fɒsˈfɔr əs, -ˈfoʊr- /

adjective

Chemistry.
  1. containing trivalent phosphorus.


phosphorous British  
/ ˈfɒsfərəs /

adjective

  1. of or containing phosphorus in the trivalent 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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of phosphorous

First recorded in 1770–80; phosphor- + -ous

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:

In healthy soils, these fungal networks can expand the effective foraging area of plant roots by up to 100 times and provide > 80 percent of a plant's phosphorous needs.

From Science Daily Jun. 15, 2026

White phosphorous is a chemical substance that ignites immediately on contact with oxygen.

From BBC Jul. 22, 2024

Molasses is naturally rich in antioxidants, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous and vitamin B6.

From Salon Dec. 12, 2023

White phosphorous is considered an incendiary weapon under Protocol III of the Convention on the Prohibition of Use of Certain Conventional Weapons.

From Reuters Oct. 12, 2023

Each time, her hands were examined, judged clean, plunged into sealed boxes of dirt; and found to produce solid phosphorous granules.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

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