calcium phosphate

noun

: any of various phosphates of calcium: such as
a
: the phosphate CaH4P2O8 used as a fertilizer and in baking powder
b
: the phosphate CaHPO4 used in pharmaceutical preparations and animal feeds
c
: the phosphate Ca3P2O8 used as a fertilizer
d
: the naturally occurring phosphate Ca5(F,Cl,OH,¹/₂CO3)(PO4)3 that contains other elements or radicals and is the chief constituent of phosphate rock, bones, and teeth

Examples of calcium phosphate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
For a satisfying melt, cheese needs a Goldilocks level of bonds between molecules of calcium phosphate embedded in the casein that lock together the protein network. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2024 All that remains after the process is bone fragments (calcium phosphate), which are dried and cooled and then crushed into ash and returned to the deceased person’s survivors, just as with a standard cremation. New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2024 The primary component of enamel is the mineral calcium phosphate, arranged in a crystalline (small crystal) structure known as hydroxyapatite. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 31 July 2024 The Armed Forces Institute said Zadroga’s lungs had talc, cellulose, methacrylate, calcium phosphate, carbon and silica. John Annese, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2024 The kit uses three whitening ingredients, amorphous calcium phosphate, fluoride and potassium nitrate, to help whiten teeth and comes in a range of concentrations. Korin Miller, wsj.com, 20 Sep. 2023 The Capricorn cell salt is calcium phosphate. BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2020 Each serving of 2 gummies contains 500 mg tribasic calcium phosphate, 1000 IU vitamin D, and 230 mg of phosphorus, which work in harmony for bone strengthening. Casey Seiden, Ms Rdn Cdn Cdces, Verywell Health, 12 Mar. 2023 In vertebrates, bones are mostly made up of calcium phosphate, as is tooth enamel. Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of calcium phosphate was in 1863

Dictionary Entries Near calcium phosphate

Cite this Entry

“Calcium phosphate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calcium%20phosphate. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

calcium phosphate

noun
: any of various phosphates of calcium: as
a
: one used as a fertilizer
b
: a naturally occurring phosphate containing other elements (as fluorine) and occurring as an important part of phosphate-bearing rock, bones, and teeth

Medical Definition

calcium phosphate

noun
: any of various phosphates of calcium: as
a
: the phosphate CaHPO4 used in pharmaceutical preparations and animal feeds
b
: a naturally occurring phosphate of calcium Ca5(F,Cl,OH,¹/₂CO3)(PO4)3 that contains other elements or radicals and is the chief constituent of bones and teeth

More from Merriam-Webster on calcium phosphate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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