Main Entry: phos·phate

Pronunciation: \ˈfäs-ˌfāt\

Function: noun

1 a : a salt or ester of a phosphoric acid b : the trivalent anion PO₄³⁻ derived from phosphoric acid H₃PO₄
2 : an organic compound of phosphoric acid in which the acid group is bound to nitrogen or a carboxyl group in a way that permits useful energy to be released (as in metabolism)