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sodium phosphate

noun Chemistry.
  1. Also called monobasic sodium phosphate. a white, crystalline, slightly hygroscopic, water-soluble powder, NaH2PO4, used chiefly in dyeing and in electroplating.
  2. Also called dibasic sodium phosphate, disodium phosphate. a water-soluble compound that in its anhydrous form, Na2HPO4, occurring as a white, crystalline, hygroscopic powder, is used chiefly in the manufacture of ceramic glazes, enamels, baking powder, and cheeses, and that in its hydrated form, Na2HPO4⋅xH2O, occurring as clear colorless crystals, is used chiefly in the manufacture of dyes, fertilizers, detergents, and pharmaceuticals.
  3. Also called tribasic sodium phosphate, trisodium phosphate, TSP. a colorless water-soluble compound, Na3PO4⋅12H2O, occurring as crystals: used chiefly in the manufacture of water-softening agents, detergents, paper, and textiles.
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Origin of sodium phosphate

First recorded in 1870–75
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for sodium phosphate

sodium phosphate

noun
  1. any sodium salt of any phosphoric acid, esp one of three salts of orthophosphoric acid having formulas NaH 2 PO 4 (monosodium dihydrogen orthophosphate), Na 2 HPO 4 (disodium monohydrogen orthophosphate), and Na 3 PO 4 (trisodium orthophosphate)
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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