1
: any of various derivatives of phosphine analogous to amines but weaker as bases
2
: a colorless poisonous flammable gas PH3 that is a weaker base than ammonia and that is used especially to fumigate stored grain
Examples of phosphine in a Sentence
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The likes of oxygen and water vapor are the most obvious of such biosignatures, but others include ozone, methane, nitrous oxide, dimethyl sulphide and phosphine, to name a few.
—
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2025
However, scientists have detected two gases, phosphine and ammonia, that on Earth would be considered biomarkers for life.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 3 Aug. 2024
Since then, their discovery has faced pushback after other researchers weren't able to replicate the results, or said phosphine identified by the team was something else, Clements said.
—Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 30 July 2024
Almost four years later, scientists remain unsure about whether the phosphine is a product of living creatures, ordinary geological activity, or something else.
—Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 26 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for phosphine
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Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2025
However, scientists have detected two gases, phosphine and ammonia, that on Earth would be considered biomarkers for life.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 3 Aug. 2024
Since then, their discovery has faced pushback after other researchers weren't able to replicate the results, or said phosphine identified by the team was something else, Clements said.
—Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 30 July 2024
Almost four years later, scientists remain unsure about whether the phosphine is a product of living creatures, ordinary geological activity, or something else.
—Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 26 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for phosphine
Cite this Entry
“Phosphine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphine. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
phosphine
noun
phos·phine
-ˌfēn 
1
: a colorless poisonous flammable gas PH3 that is a weaker base than ammonia and that is used especially to fumigate stored grain
2
: any of various derivatives of phosphine analogous to amines but weaker as bases
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