orthophosphate
noun
or·tho·phos·phate
ˌȯr-thə-ˈfäs-ˌfāt 
: a salt or ester of orthophosphoric acid
Examples of orthophosphate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fluoride, chlorine and orthophosphate are added to the water just prior to leaving the treatment plants.
—
Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2024
Lead levels in drinking water have declined significantly with the service line replacements and with the addition of orthophosphate, a food-grade additive that can protect pipes from corrosion, to the water.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024
An April 5 water sample detected 2.1 milligrams per liter of orthophosphate, a form of phosphorus.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2021
Since detecting elevated lead levels, Aqua has used a chemical treatment, orthophosphate, which is a common corrosion inhibitor added to a municipality’s water supply to coat the inside of water pipes and prevent lead from leaching into water that comes out of the taps.
—Mike Nolan, chicagotribune.com, 19 July 2021
The Water Department continually treats city water with a chemical called orthophosphate that creates a film on the inside of pipes and plumbing and forms a hard barrier that prevents lead from leaching into the water.
—Peter Krouse, cleveland, 9 Dec. 2021
The next month, the state issued a permit for the city to pump orthophosphate and polyphosphate into the water to coat the pipes and prevent erosion.
—John Flesher and David Eggert, Detroit Free Press, 8 Nov. 2021
To improve the applications of chlorine for disinfection and orthophosphate for corrosion control.
—Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 2 Nov. 2021
The federal government outlawed lead in pipe construction in the 1980s, and additives like orthophosphate prevent it from corroding into the water.
—Jonathan Schifman, Popular Mechanics, 8 Aug. 2021
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.
Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2024
Lead levels in drinking water have declined significantly with the service line replacements and with the addition of orthophosphate, a food-grade additive that can protect pipes from corrosion, to the water.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024
An April 5 water sample detected 2.1 milligrams per liter of orthophosphate, a form of phosphorus.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2021
Since detecting elevated lead levels, Aqua has used a chemical treatment, orthophosphate, which is a common corrosion inhibitor added to a municipality’s water supply to coat the inside of water pipes and prevent lead from leaching into water that comes out of the taps.
—Mike Nolan, chicagotribune.com, 19 July 2021
The Water Department continually treats city water with a chemical called orthophosphate that creates a film on the inside of pipes and plumbing and forms a hard barrier that prevents lead from leaching into the water.
—Peter Krouse, cleveland, 9 Dec. 2021
The next month, the state issued a permit for the city to pump orthophosphate and polyphosphate into the water to coat the pipes and prevent erosion.
—John Flesher and David Eggert, Detroit Free Press, 8 Nov. 2021
To improve the applications of chlorine for disinfection and orthophosphate for corrosion control.
—Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 2 Nov. 2021
The federal government outlawed lead in pipe construction in the 1980s, and additives like orthophosphate prevent it from corroding into the water.
—Jonathan Schifman, Popular Mechanics, 8 Aug. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Orthophosphate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orthophosphate. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
orthophosphate
noun
or·tho·phos·phate
ˌȯr-thə-ˈfäs-ˌfāt
: a salt or ester of orthophosphoric acid
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share