phosphatase

noun

phos·​pha·​tase ˈfäs-fə-ˌtās How to pronounce phosphatase (audio)
-ˌtāz
: an enzyme that accelerates the hydrolysis and synthesis of organic esters of phosphoric acid and the transfer of phosphate groups to other compounds:

Examples of phosphatase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Researchers also discovered that the sticky hairs on the plant's flower stalk produce phosphatase, a digestive enzyme used by many carnivorous plants to obtain phosphorous from prey. Lauren M. Johnson, CNN, 10 Aug. 2021 The condition is caused by a mutation in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene, which is responsible for making a substance that suppresses tumors. Maggie O'Neill, Health.com, 8 Apr. 2020 So Halámek and his team focused on levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an enzyme found in blood, to determine age. National Geographic, 29 June 2016 You're stumped because of all the protein phosphatase 1 coursing through your brain. Brendan I. Koerner, WIRED, 1 Aug. 2003

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phosphatase.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phosphatase was in 1912

Dictionary Entries Near phosphatase

Cite this Entry

“Phosphatase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphatase. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

phosphatase

noun
phos·​pha·​tase ˈfäs-fə-ˌtās, -ˌtāz How to pronounce phosphatase (audio)
: an enzyme that accelerates the hydrolysis and synthesis of organic esters of phosphoric acid and the transfer of phosphate groups to other compounds:

More from Merriam-Webster on phosphatase

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