phosphate

noun

phos·​phate ˈfäs-ˌfāt 

1

a(1)

: a salt or ester of a phosphoric acid

(2)

: the trivalent anion PO₄³⁻ derived from phosphoric acid H₃PO₄

b

: an organic compound of phosphoric acid in which the acid group is bound to nitrogen or a carboxyl group in a way that permits useful energy to be released (as in metabolism)

2

: an effervescent drink of carbonated water with a small amount of phosphoric acid flavored with fruit syrup

3

: a phosphatic material used for fertilizers

Examples of phosphate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers determined that the Mosasaurus fossil purportedly unearthed by workers at the Sidi Chennane phosphate mines was likely a fake. —Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025

The next phase of CATL’s battery roadmap is now underway as the company moves into mass production of its fifth-generation lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 16 Nov. 2025

Poke around Gasparilla Road, East Railroad Avenue, and Park Avenue before exploring Gasparilla Island State Park, where the 1890 Port Boca Grande Lighthouse doubles as a maritime museum chronicling island history from phosphate to fishing. —Staff Author, Southern Living, 15 Nov. 2025

Expanding the production of phosphate — used in fertilizers to increase crop yields — could cost around $15 billion on top of existing investments in the space, Khalid Al Mudaifer, vice minister of industry and mineral resources, told Semafor in an interview. —Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from acide phosphorique phosphoric acid

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing phosphate

• ammonium phosphate
• calcium phosphate
• creatine phosphate
• diammonium phosphate
• disodium phosphate
• glucose phosphate
• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
• nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate
• phosphate rock
• trisodium phosphate

Rhymes for phosphate

• bisphosphate
• diphosphate
• triphosphate
• glycerophosphate
• organophosphate
• metaphosphate
• monophosphate
• orthophosphate
• polyphosphate
• pyrophosphate
• superphosphate

Kids Definition

phosphate

noun

phos·​phate ˈfäs-ˌfāt 

1

: a salt of a phosphoric acid

2

: a drink made of carbonated water and fruit syrup with a little phosphoric acid added for tang

Medical Definition

phosphate

noun

phos·​phate ˈfäs-ˌfāt 

1

a

: a salt or ester of a phosphoric acid

b

: the trivalent anion PO₄³⁻ derived from phosphoric acid H₃PO₄

2

: an organic compound of phosphoric acid in which the acid group is bound to nitrogen or a carboxyl group in a way that permits useful energy to be released (as in metabolism)