chelate

1 of 3

adjective

che·​late ˈkē-ˌlāt How to pronounce chelate (audio)
 also  ˈchē-
1
: resembling or having chelae
2
[from the pincerlike way in which the metal ion is held] : of, relating to, or being a chelate

chelate

2 of 3

verb

chelated; chelating

transitive verb

: to combine with (a metal) so as to form a chelate ring

intransitive verb

: to react so as to form a chelate ring
chelatable
ˈkē-ˌlā-tə-bəl How to pronounce chelate (audio)
 also  ˈchē-
adjective

chelate

3 of 3

noun

: a compound having a ring structure that usually contains a metal ion held by coordinate bonds

Examples of chelate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Each vegetarian capsule contains 500mg of premium, high-quality, natural magnesium as oxide, chelate, citrate, and succinate. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 11 Oct. 2022
Verb
Ouai Detox Shampoo is formulated with key ingredients, including apple cider vinegar, to exfoliate and remove dirt, oil and product buildup, as well as chelating agents to help wash away hard water deposits. Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025 Amend the soil with iron chelates or nitrogen-rich fertilizer as needed. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 July 2025 June • For camellia, citrus, gardenia, grape and other plants adapted to acidic soil: If leaves are yellowing (chlorotic) between green veins, plants may benefit from foliar or soil application of iron and zinc chelate and mulching. The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2025 This suggests magnesium creatine chelate can improve sports performance. Merve Ceylan, Health, 23 Oct. 2024 Cosmetic chemist Ginger King says that many clarifying shampoos use chelating agents like EDTA and tetrasodium EDTA, which latch on to metal ions that may be in your water. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 19 Sep. 2024 In removing these harsh metals, chelating shampoo helps to prevent any unfavorable change in hair color. Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 14 June 2024 Try these Magnesium chelate tablets, $16.16 on Amazon, to help boost your magnesium levels. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 21 Feb. 2024
Noun
Applications of iron chelate can be used as a short-term solution, but lowering soil pH through sulfur applications will be needed to address the problem long term. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2025 Many forms of manganese are used in dietary supplements, including manganese bis-glycinate chelate, manganese aspartate, manganese gluconate, and manganese citrate. Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 Feb. 2025 The Types of Creatine Supplements Creatine can come in various forms, including creatine ethyl ester, creatine magnesium chelate, creatine hydrochloride, and creatine malate. Tamar Kane, Ms, Verywell Health, 25 Jan. 2024 In effect, this means the 1600mg dose of D-aspartic acid calcium chelate is as potent as a 2200mg dose of non-chelate D-aspartic acid. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Oct. 2023 Your Longevity Blueprint Magnesium Chelate is a magnesium supplement that provides magnesium chelate, which is a highly bioavailable form of magnesium. The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 June 2022

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1922, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chelate was in 1826

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chelate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chelate. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

chelate

1 of 3 adjective
che·​late ˈkē-ˌlāt How to pronounce chelate (audio)
: of, relating to, or having the ring structure typical of a chelate

chelate

2 of 3 verb
chelated; chelating

transitive verb

: to combine with (a metal) so as to form a chelate ring

intransitive verb

: to react so as to form a chelate ring
chelatable adjective

chelate

3 of 3 noun
: a compound having a ring structure that usually contains a metal ion held by coordinate bonds

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