noun
Uncommon
phosphate
FOS-fayt
Phosphate (noun) means a chemical compound derived from phosphoric acid, widely used in fertilizers and found in living cells. Example: “Farmers spread phosphate fertilizer on the fields every spring.”
noun
1
A chemical compound derived from phosphoric acid, widely used in fertilizers and found in living cells.
"Farmers spread phosphate fertilizer on the fields every spring."
2
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)
"The old diner still serves a classic cherry phosphate."
How to use phosphate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA phosphorus-based compound, most often thought of as a fertilizer ingredient or (in the US) an old-style flavored soda.
Common pairings
phosphate fertilizer
calcium phosphate
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Word forms
- Plural
- phosphates
- Third person singular
- phosphates
- Past tense
- phosphated
Fill the gap
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Farmers spread _____ fertilizer on the fields every spring.
Etymology
Borrowed from French phosphate, formed from "phosphoric acid" plus the chemical suffix "-ate," which denotes a salt or ester.
Synonyms
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orthophosphate
inorganic phosphate
Related words
Rhymes for phosphate
See all rhymes for 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.
