hydroxyapatite

noun

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hy·droxy·ap·a·tite | \ hī-ˌdräk-sē-ˈa-pə-ˌtīt

variants: or hydroxylapatite \ hī-ˌdräk-sə-ˈla-pə-ˌtīt

Definition of hydroxyapatite

: a complex phosphate of calcium Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH that occurs as a mineral and is the chief structural element of vertebrate bone

Examples of hydroxyapatite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Made up mostly of hydroxyapatite, a relatively weak gemstone, teeth begin to rise from gummy ridges inside the mouth when a baby is around six months old. — Brennan Kilbane, Allure, "The History of the Big, Bright American Smile," 15 Dec. 2020 Previous teams synthesized pins from hydroxyapatite, a major component in human and animal bones. — Eva Frederick, Science | AAAS, "Dog bones could help patch broken bird wings," 21 Nov. 2019 But, reports Wudan Yan at The New York Times, the dragonfish enamel is studded with tiny crystals made of hydroxyapatite, just 5-to-20-nanometers in diameter. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Nanoscale Structures Give Dragonfish Their Terrible, Invisible Teeth," 6 June 2019 Boka thinks that fluoride is not good enough, however, and has thus created a paste with nano-hydroxyapatite (N-Ha) in its place. — Adam Hurly, GQ, "The Best Toothpaste for Removing Stains, Fixing Your Breath, and Not Getting Gingivitis," 27 Apr. 2018 Researchers at Shanghai’s Institute of Ceramics are developing a new kind of wallpaper made from graphene oxide and hydroxyapatite nanowires that can detect fire and act as a retardant. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Scientists are developing wallpaper that can tell when your house is on fire," 11 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hydroxyapatite.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Hydroxyapatite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydroxyapatite. Accessed 27 Feb. 2021.

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