1
: any of various derivatives of phosphine analogous to amines but weaker as bases
2
: a colorless poisonous flammable gas PH3 that is a weaker base than ammonia and that is used especially to fumigate stored grain
Examples of phosphine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, scientists have detected two gases, phosphine and ammonia, that on Earth would be considered biomarkers for life.
—
Katie Hunt, CNN, 3 Aug. 2024
Since then, their discovery has faced pushback after other researchers weren't able to replicate the results, or said phosphine identified by the team was something else, Clements said.
—Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 30 July 2024
Almost four years later, scientists remain unsure about whether the phosphine is a product of living creatures, ordinary geological activity, or something else.
—Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 26 July 2024
At the surface, acetylene, hydrogen sulfides and phosphine molecules brush the planet into varied swirls that ring the planet.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for phosphine 
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.
Katie Hunt, CNN, 3 Aug. 2024
Since then, their discovery has faced pushback after other researchers weren't able to replicate the results, or said phosphine identified by the team was something else, Clements said.
—Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 30 July 2024
Almost four years later, scientists remain unsure about whether the phosphine is a product of living creatures, ordinary geological activity, or something else.
—Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 26 July 2024
At the surface, acetylene, hydrogen sulfides and phosphine molecules brush the planet into varied swirls that ring the planet.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for phosphine
Articles Related to phosphine
Dictionary Entries Near phosphine
Cite this Entry
“Phosphine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphine. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
phosphine
noun
phos·phine
-ˌfēn 
1
: a colorless poisonous flammable gas PH3 that is a weaker base than ammonia and that is used especially to fumigate stored grain
2
: any of various derivatives of phosphine analogous to amines but weaker as bases
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share