carbonate

1 of 3

noun (1)

car·​bon·​ate ˈkär-bə-ˌnāt 

-nət

: a salt or ester of carbonic acid

carbonate

2 of 3

verb

car·​bon·​ate ˈkär-bə-ˌnāt 

carbonated; carbonating

transitive verb

1

: to convert into a carbonate

2

: to combine or infuse with carbon dioxide

carbonated beverages

carbonation

ˌkär-bə-ˈnā-shən 

noun

carbonation

3 of 3

noun (2)

car·​bon·​ation ˌkär-bə-ˈnā-shən 

plural -s

: the process of carbonating

Examples of carbonate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The reaction produced carbonate minerals within fractures in the rock. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Infrared spectroscopy showed that the fossil enamel looked a bit like that of the modern alligator, and its carbonate content matched that of modern reptilian enamel. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 20 Sep. 2026

Verb

Some Cuban Americans drink a version of mate that's sweetened and carbonated. — ABC News, 16 June 2026

They aren’t carbonated either, so the overall drinking experience is smooth and pleasant. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

International Scientific Vocabulary carbonate entry 2 + -ion

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1788, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1805, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing carbonate

• ammonium carbonate
• calcium carbonate
• lead carbonate
• lithium carbonate
• magnesium carbonate
• potassium carbonate
• sodium carbonate

Rhymes for carbonate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

carbonate

1 of 2 noun

car·​bon·​ate ˈkär-bə-ˌnāt 

-nət

: a compound formed by the reaction of carbonic acid with another substance

carbonate

2 of 2 verb

car·​bon·​ate ˈkär-bə-ˌnāt 

carbonated; carbonating

1

: to change into a carbonate

2

: to saturate with carbon dioxide

a carbonated beverage

carbonation

ˌkär-bə-ˈnā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

carbonate

1 of 2 noun

car·​bon·​ate ˈkär-bə-ˌnāt, -nət 

: a salt or ester of carbonic acid

carbonate

2 of 2 transitive verb

car·​bon·​ate -ˌnāt 

carbonated; carbonating

1

: to convert into a carbonate

2

: to impregnate with carbon dioxide

carbonation

ˌkär-bə-ˈnā-shən 

noun