sulfate

1 of 2

noun

sul·​fate ˈsəl-ˌfāt How to pronounce sulfate (audio)
1
: a salt or ester of sulfuric acid
2
: a divalent group or anion SO4 characteristic of sulfuric acid and the sulfates

sulfate

2 of 2

verb

sulfated; sulfating

transitive verb

: to treat or combine with sulfuric acid or a sulfate

Examples of sulfate 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.
Noun
The blanket of sulfate aerosols that dropped global temperatures was about to unleash an ecologically unbelievable year around the world. Scott Travers, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024 Made with a clean formula—meaning no aluminum, formaldehyde, phthalates, gluten, mineral oils, parabens, silicones, SLSs, sulfates, toluene or soap—this is a genderless scent anyone on your list will love. Kayla Greaves, Essence, 23 Nov. 2024
Verb
When the battery overheats, the water in the sulfuric acid solution within its case will boil and escape, leaving dry lead plates behind, which sulfate and lose their capacity. Randy Zellers, Field & Stream, 10 Apr. 2023 Energizing Scalp Serum for its gentle, sulfate-free formula. Rebecca Deczynski, Health, 30 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for sulfate 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Latin sulfur

First Known Use

Noun

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sulfate was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near sulfate

Cite this Entry

“Sulfate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sulfate. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

sulfate

noun
sul·​fate
ˈsəl-ˌfāt
: a compound and especially a salt formed by the reaction of sulfuric acid with another substance

Medical Definition

sulfate

1 of 2 noun
sul·​fate
variants or chiefly British sulphate
1
: a salt or ester of sulfuric acid
2
: a bivalent group or anion SO4 characteristic of sulfuric acid and the sulfates

sulfate

2 of 2 transitive verb
variants or chiefly British sulphate
sulfated or chiefly British sulphated; sulfating or chiefly British sulphating
: to treat or combine with sulfuric acid or a sulfate

More from Merriam-Webster on sulfate

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