phosphate

noun

phos·​phate ˈfäs-ˌfāt 

1

a(1)

: a salt or ester of a phosphoric acid

(2)

: the trivalent anion PO₄³⁻ derived from phosphoric acid H₃PO₄

b

: 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)

2

: an effervescent drink of carbonated water with a small amount of phosphoric acid flavored with fruit syrup

3

: a phosphatic material used for fertilizers

Examples of phosphate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Up to 30% of world fertilizer exports — including urea, ammonia, phosphates and sulfur — pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Joseph Glauber of the International Food Policy Research Institute. —Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026

Up to 30% of world fertilizer exports – including urea, ammonia, phosphates, and sulfur – pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Joseph Glauber of the International Food Policy Research Institute. —Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

Up to 30% of world fertilizer exports – including urea, ammonia, phosphates, and sulfur – pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Joseph Glauber of the International Food Policy Research Institute. —ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026

The closing of the Strait of Hormuz could further affect fertilizer prices , since around 15% of global phosphates are produced in the Middle East and shipped out of the Strait, according to Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer of OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 7 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from acide phosphorique phosphoric acid

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing phosphate

• ammonium phosphate
• calcium phosphate
• creatine phosphate
• diammonium phosphate
• disodium phosphate
• glucose phosphate
• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
• nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate
• phosphate rock
• trisodium phosphate

Rhymes for phosphate

• bisphosphate
• diphosphate
• triphosphate
• glycerophosphate
• organophosphate
• metaphosphate
• monophosphate
• orthophosphate
• polyphosphate
• pyrophosphate
• superphosphate

Kids Definition

phosphate

noun

phos·​phate ˈfäs-ˌfāt 

1

: a salt of a phosphoric acid

2

: a drink made of carbonated water and fruit syrup with a little phosphoric acid added for tang

Medical Definition

phosphate

noun

phos·​phate ˈfäs-ˌfāt 

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)