Phosphate: meaning, definitions and examples

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phosphate

 

[ หˆfษ”sหŒfeษชt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

chemical compound

Phosphate is a chemical compound containing the tetrahedral anion POโ‚„ยณโป. It is an important nutrient for living organisms, playing a crucial role in cellular systems, including energy transfer via adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In agriculture, phosphates are essential for promoting plant growth, with many fertilizers containing phosphate compounds. Additionally, phosphates are widely used in various industrial processes, including food preservation and the manufacturing of glass and ceramics.

Synonyms

PO4, phosphorate, phosphoric acid salt

Examples of usage

  • The soil was enriched with phosphate for better crop yields.
  • Phosphate plays a vital role in energy transfer within cells.
  • Many detergents contain phosphates to enhance cleaning efficiency.

Translations

Translations of the word "phosphate" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น fosfato

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคซเฅ‰เคธเฅเคซเฅ‡เคŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Phosphat

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ fosfat

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั„ะพัั„ะฐั‚

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ fosforan

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒชใƒณ้…ธๅกฉ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท phosphate

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ fosfato

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท fosfat

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ธ์‚ฐ์—ผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ููˆุณูุงุช

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ fosfรกt

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ fosfรกt

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ฃท้…ธ็›

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ fosfat

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fosfat

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั„ะพัั„ะฐั‚

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒคแƒแƒกแƒคแƒแƒขแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ fosfat

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ fosfato

Etymology

The term 'phosphate' derives from the Greek word 'phosphoros', meaning 'light-bringer', which was used to describe compounds that contain phosphorus, a key element found in nature. Phosphorus was discovered in 1669 by the German alchemist Hennig Brand, who isolated it from urine. The name 'phosphorus' is a combination of the Greek root and the Latin '-ate' suffix, used to denote a salt or ester in chemistry. Over time, phosphates became recognized for their critical roles in biological systems, especially as they relate to the process of photosynthesis and the synthesis of DNA and RNA. Today, phosphates are extensively utilized in agriculture, food production, and various industrial applications, solidifying their importance in both scientific and everyday contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,581, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.