phosphate

/ˌfɑsˈfeɪt/

/ˈfɒsfeɪt/

Other forms: phosphates

Definitions of phosphate

1. noun

   a salt of phosphoric acid
   synonyms: inorganic phosphate, orthophosphate

   types:

   calcium phosphate

   a phosphate of calcium; a main constituent of animal bones

   sodium orthophosphate, sodium phosphate

   phosphate of sodium; used as a laxative to cleanse the bowels

   type of:

   salt

   a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
2. noun

   carbonated drink with fruit syrup and a little phosphoric acid
   type of:

   soft drink

   nonalcoholic beverage (usually carbonated)