noun A chemical compound derived from phosphoric acid, widely used in fertilizers and found in living cells.
- Too much phosphate running off farms can cause algae to grow in lakes.
- Plants need phosphate to grow strong roots, so gardeners often add it to the soil.
- Farmers spread phosphate fertilizer on the fields every spring.
noun A fizzy drink flavored with fruit syrup and a small amount of phosphoric acid, historically served at soda fountains.
- This man here,” she said, “can make you a cherry Coke or a chocolate Coke or a phosphate — a chocolate phosphate or. “Vanilla phosphate,” the man helped, “cherry phosphate, orange phosphate, lime phosphate, lemon phosphate,
— Michael Raleigh, In the castle of the Flynns (2002)
- At the old soda fountain, grandpa ordered a lemon phosphate and sipped it slowly.
- The waiter mixed a cold phosphate with syrup and sparkling water.
- The old diner still serves a classic cherry phosphate.
