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Definition of phosphorus
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: a nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family with atomic number 15 that occurs widely in combination especially as phosphates, that is essential for life in all known organisms, and that is used especially in fertilizers and organophosphorus compounds — see Chemical Elements Table
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Government officials also showed CNN a handwritten manual detailing instructions for how to build incendiary weapons, including white phosphorus munitions, amongst other things. — Sheena Mckenzie, Tamara Qiblawi And Fred Pleitgen, CNN, "Dozens suffocate in 'horrifying' suspected chemical attack in Syria," 8 Apr. 2018 The explosive ruptures drums or other containers while the phosphorus burns at high temperature, neutralizing the chemical agent. — David Hambling, Popular Mechanics, "These Are Syria's Chemical Weapons. Here's How To Destroy Them," 13 Apr. 2018 Seaweed sequesters nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon, meaning seaweed farms are carbon negative. — Tamar Adler, Vogue, "Is Seaweed the Perfect Food?," 15 Feb. 2019 The American grenade section of the school of arms March 1, 1918, related that a very simple improvised smoke-bomb grenade could be constructed by filling a tennis ball with equal parts of red phosphorus and gun powder. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Five Innovations to Emerge From the First World War," 11 Nov. 2018 Be sure to use organic fertilizer because the salts and high phosphorus concentrations often present in synthetic fertilizers can also cause tip burn. — Willi Evans Galloway, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Extra-Lush Lucky Bamboo," 20 Aug. 2018 The sample burns in the flame, producing a light wave, the color of which is determined by the elements present, such as phosphorus. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "How the Experts Identify Chemical Weapons and Prove an Attack," 7 Aug. 2018 Australian researchers have made quantum computer components by precisely positioning phosphorus atoms on a silicon chip. — Sophia Chen, WIRED, "Scientists Are Using AI to Painstakingly Assemble Single Atoms," 23 May 2018 Elements like phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium could be salvaged from such waste. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "What If Animal Feces Could Be Recycled for Metals and Valuable Elements?," 29 Nov. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'phosphorus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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phosphorus
noun
English Language Learners Definition of phosphorus
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