phosphorus

noun

phos·​pho·​rus ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs 

often attributive

1

: a phosphorescent substance or body

especially : one that shines or glows in the dark

2

or less commonly phosphorous

ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs 

: a nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family with atomic number 15 that occurs widely in combination especially as phosphates, that is essential for life in all known organisms, and that is used especially in fertilizers and organophosphorus compounds see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of phosphorus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Minerals in halibut, such as magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus, are good for building and repairing strong bones.2324 8. —Maxine Lipner, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2024

The super-seeds have about 9.7 g of protein per 100 g, 0.1 g of sugar per 100 g, as well as magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. —New Atlas, 28 Nov. 2024

For instance, 100 grams of of the fruit (about 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups, depending on their size) contains biotin, fiber, vitamin K, manganese, calcium, and more than 8 milligrams of vitamin C – plus lesser amounts of protein, iron, phosphorus and potassium, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024

Gear up, choose your weapons, equipment, and robotic limbs that will give you different boons during a match, such as the ability to be invisible at range, drone deployment, white phosphorus rockets, and temporary superspeed. —Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek phōsphoros light-bearing — more at phosphor

First Known Use

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

phosphorus

noun

phos·​pho·​rus ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs 

1

: a phosphorescent substance

especially : one that glows in the dark

2

: a nonmetallic element that occurs widely especially as phosphates see element

phosphoric

fäs-ˈfȯr-ik

-ˈfär-

adjective

phosphorous

ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs;

fäs-ˈfōr-əs

-ˈfȯr-

adjective

Medical Definition

phosphorus

noun

phos·​pho·​rus ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs 

often attributive

: a nonmetallic multivalent element that occurs widely in combined form especially as inorganic phosphates in minerals, soils, natural waters, bones, and teeth and as organic phosphates in all living cells and that exists in several allotropic forms

—symbol P see Chemical Elements Table