1
: a salt or ester of sulfuric acid
2
: a divalent group or anion SO4 characteristic of sulfuric acid and the sulfates
Examples of sulfate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2025
Its candles and reed diffusers are made in California and are free of sulfates, parabens, pesticides and phthalates.
—Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 2 June 2025
Randy Zellers, Field & Stream, 10 Apr. 2023
Energizing Scalp Serum for its gentle, sulfate-free formula.
—Rebecca Deczynski, Health, 30 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for sulfate
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Noun
This rice shampoo bar is also free from sulfates, parabens, artificial fragrances, and dyes and claims to stimulate hair growth, strengthening each strand from the outside in with the Japanese rice water formula.
—Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2025
Its candles and reed diffusers are made in California and are free of sulfates, parabens, pesticides and phthalates.
—Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 2 June 2025
Verb
When the battery overheats, the water in the sulfuric acid solution within its case will boil and escape, leaving dry lead plates behind, which sulfate and lose their capacity.
—Randy Zellers, Field & Stream, 10 Apr. 2023
Energizing Scalp Serum for its gentle, sulfate-free formula.
—Rebecca Deczynski, Health, 30 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for sulfate
Cite this Entry
“Sulfate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sulfate. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
sulfate
2 of 2 transitive verb
variants
or chiefly British sulphate
sulfated or chiefly British sulphated; sulfating or chiefly British sulphating
: to treat or combine with sulfuric acid or a sulfate
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