Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

phosphorylate

verb phos·phor·y·late \ fäs-ˈfȯr-ə-ˌlāt \

Definition of phosphorylate

phosphorylated; phosphorylating
transitive verb
: to cause (an organic compound) to take up or combine with phosphoric acid or a phosphorus-containing group
—

phosphorylative

play \fäs-ˈfȯr-ə-ˌlā-tiv\ adjective

First Known Use of phosphorylate

1928

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

phosphorylate

transitive verb phos·phor·y·late \ -ˌlāt \

medical Definition of phosphorylate

phosphorylated; phosphorylating
: to cause (an organic compound) to take up or combine with phosphoric acid or a phosphorus-containing group

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up phosphorylate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

balmy

play

soothing, mild, or foolish

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

phosphorylate

Test Your Vocabulary

Name More Food!

  • red-fruit
  • Name that Fruit!
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games