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

The battery maker has pressed ahead with investments overseas, including a battery factory in Hungary to sell to the likes of Mercedes and BMW, as well as a joint venture with automaker Stellantis to build a lithium iron phosphate battery plant in Spain. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025

That 500 Wh/kg is double that of many high-nickel batteries, and about 2.5 times as good as that of the best lithium iron phosphate batteries. —IEEE Spectrum, 12 Mar. 2025

The kinase domain – the Pac-Man – is the catalytic center where the protein does its main job: adding a phosphate group to its target to control its activity. —Priyanka Naik, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2025

Electrolytes include salt and minerals such as potassium, phosphate, calcium, and magnesium. —Kimberly Brown, Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 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)