sulfate

play

noun sul·fate \ ˈsəl-ˌfāt \

Definition of sulfate

1 :a salt or ester of sulfuric acid

2 :a divalent group or anion SO₄ characteristic of sulfuric acid and the sulfates

See sulfate defined for English-language learners

See sulfate defined for kids

Recent Examples of sulfate from the Web

Other factors are also encouraging cooling right now, several experts said, including an increase in reflective aerosols like sulfates and nitrates in the atmosphere.

— mira abed, latimes.com, "What should you say to a climate change skeptic?," 18 Aug. 2017
Most of the odor is due to a couple of other molecules, like methanethiol and dimethyl sulfate, which are related to methane but are not the same thing.

— National Geographic, "The Air You Breathe Is Full of Surprises," 13 Aug. 2017
Treat With Care Ingredients like sulfates and acids and exfoliators with rough shells or beads can aggravate rosacea, so your wash should be free of them.

— marissa oliva, Cosmopolitan, "4 Foolproof Ways to Treat Your Rosacea," 22 July 2017
Like most rainbow hair trends, Rae recommends washing denim hair only once to twice a week with ice cold water with a color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.

— devon abelman, Allure, "Denim Hair Might Be the Most Timeless Rainbow Hair Trend," 13 July 2017
The recall disclosed Tuesday covers inflators using calcium sulfate as a desiccant.

— ryan beene, Bloomberg.com, "Takata Recalls 2.7 Million Air Bags That Have Drying Agent," 11 July 2017
That stormwater will now be diverted – up to 32.3 million gallons a day – into the facility where it will be mixed with liquid aluminum sulfate, or alum, to remove nearly 20 pounds a day of nitrogen and phosphorous.

— martin e. comas, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Seminole County cuts the ribbon on new facility to help clean Lake Jesup," 7 July 2017
As examples, advocates point to price increases in the injectors for the heroin antidote Naloxone, albuterol-sulfate that is commonly used to treat asthma, and EpiPens that treat severe allergic reactions.

— erin cox, baltimoresun.com, "Drug firms challenge Maryland price-gouging law," 6 July 2017
Shipments of barium sulfate sludge from the Smith Ranch in-situ uranium mine and processing facility in northeast Wyoming will resume after the NRC has signed off on Cameco’s corrective measures, Struthers added.

— Washington Post, "US won’t fine company for spilling radioactive sludge," 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sulfate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sulfate

French, from Latin sulfur

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1788

See Words from the same year

sulfate

verb

Definition of sulfate

sulfated; sulfating

transitive verb

:to treat or combine with sulfuric acid or a sulfate

First Known Use of sulfate

1888

SULFATE Defined for English Language Learners

sulfate

play

noun

Definition of sulfate for English Language Learners

chemistry : a salt that is formed when sulfuric acid reacts with another chemical element

Medical Dictionary

sulfate

noun sul·fate

variants: or chiefly British sulphate play \ˈsəl-ˌfāt\

medical Definition of sulfate

1 :a salt or ester of sulfuric acid

2 :a bivalent group or anion SO₄ characteristic of sulfuric acid and the sulfates

sulfate

transitive verb

variants: or chiefly British sulphate

medical Definition of sulfate

sulfated or chiefly British sulphated; sulfating or chiefly British sulphating

:to treat or combine with sulfuric acid or a sulfate

Learn More about sulfate

Nglish: Translation of sulfate for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sulfate

Seen and Heard

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

show

sulfate

Definition of sulfate

Read the Latest from M-W

Recent Examples of sulfate from the Web

Origin and Etymology of sulfate

sulfate

Definition of sulfate

First Known Use of sulfate

SULFATE Defined for English Language Learners

sulfate

Definition of sulfate for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

sulfate

medical Definition of sulfate

sulfate

medical Definition of sulfate

Learn More about sulfate

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

Words of the Year: 1066