phosphate
2 synonyms for phosphate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A chemical compound derived from phosphoric acid, widely used in fertilizers and found in living cells.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
orthophosphate
inorganic phosphate
How to use phosphate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
phosphate fertilizer
calcium phosphate
Etymology
Borrowed from French phosphate, formed from "phosphoric acid" plus the chemical suffix "-ate," which denotes a salt or ester.
Full origin of phosphate →Frequently asked questions
What does “phosphate” mean?
The word “phosphate” means a chemical compound derived from phosphoric acid, widely used in fertilizers and found in living cells. In plain terms, a phosphorus-based compound, most often thought of as a fertilizer ingredient or (in the US) an old-style flavored soda.
How do you pronounce “phosphate”?
“Phosphate” is pronounced FOS-fayt (/ˈfɑsfeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “phosphate” in a sentence?
Here is “phosphate” used in a sentence: “Farmers spread phosphate fertilizer on the fields every spring.”
What part of speech is “phosphate”?
“Phosphate” is a noun.
Where does the word “phosphate” come from?
The word “phosphate” comes from French. Borrowed from French phosphate, formed from "phosphoric acid" plus the chemical suffix "-ate," which denotes a salt or ester.
Is “phosphate” a common word?
“Phosphate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “phosphate” have?
“Phosphate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a chemical compound derived from phosphoric acid, widely used in fertilizers and found in living cells.
