sulfate

1 of 2

noun

sul·​fate ˈsəl-ˌfāt How to pronounce sulfate (audio)
1
: a salt or ester of sulfuric acid
2
: a divalent group or anion SO4 characteristic of sulfuric acid and the sulfates

sulfate

2 of 2

verb

sulfated; sulfating

transitive verb

: to treat or combine with sulfuric acid or a sulfate

Examples of sulfate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Henry agrees and adds parabens, sulfates, any forms of retinoids or retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and other harsh exfoliants to the list of things to avoid. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2024 This pressed setting powder offers a soft matte finish that blurs unwanted lines and other face marks without sulfates. Jenna Clark, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2024
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 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sulfate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Latin sulfur

First Known Use

Noun

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sulfate was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near sulfate

Cite this Entry

“Sulfate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sulfate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

sulfate

noun
sul·​fate
ˈsəl-ˌfāt
: a compound and especially a salt formed by the reaction of sulfuric acid with another substance

Medical Definition

sulfate

1 of 2 noun
sul·​fate
variants or chiefly British sulphate
1
: a salt or ester of sulfuric acid
2
: a bivalent group or anion SO4 characteristic of sulfuric acid and the sulfates

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

More from Merriam-Webster on sulfate

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