phosphorylate
verb
phos·phor·y·late
fäs-ˈfȯr-ə-ˌlāt 
phosphorylated; phosphorylating
: to cause (an organic compound) to take up or combine with phosphoric acid or a phosphorus-containing group
Examples of phosphorylate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Normal tau becomes phosphorylated as molecular phosphate groups are attached, which changes the protein's structure.
—
William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Researchers measured the level of plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217), a type of protein that builds up and impairs the brain in Alzheimer’s patients, and amyloid beta, another protein that is considered a biomarker of Alzheimer’s.
—Lauryn Higgins, Health, 3 Aug. 2024
Then his brain improved One part of the blood test — called plasma phosphorylated tau 217, or p-tau217 for short — is one of several blood biomarkers scientists are evaluating for use in the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 28 July 2024
The researchers then focused on a specific phosphorylation site and created a mutation that prevented it from being phosphorylated.
—Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2023
In fact, two of the sites that were phosphorylated on this enzyme in cavefish are mutated in humans with glycogen-storage diseases.
—Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Researchers measured the level of plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217), a type of protein that builds up and impairs the brain in Alzheimer’s patients, and amyloid beta, another protein that is considered a biomarker of Alzheimer’s.
—Lauryn Higgins, Health, 3 Aug. 2024
Then his brain improved One part of the blood test — called plasma phosphorylated tau 217, or p-tau217 for short — is one of several blood biomarkers scientists are evaluating for use in the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 28 July 2024
The researchers then focused on a specific phosphorylation site and created a mutation that prevented it from being phosphorylated.
—Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2023
In fact, two of the sites that were phosphorylated on this enzyme in cavefish are mutated in humans with glycogen-storage diseases.
—Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Phosphorylate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphorylate. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
phosphorylate
transitive verb
phos·phor·y·late
-ˌlāt
phosphorylated; phosphorylating
: to cause (an organic compound) to take up or combine with phosphoric acid or a phosphorus-containing group
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share