Definition of "phosphatase" [phosphatase]

• Any of numerous enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of esters of phosphoric acid and are important in the absorption and metabolism of carbohydrates, nucleotides, and phospholipids and in the calcification of bone. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Alkaline phosphatase is also found in bone and may be elevated during growth spurts."
• "A protein phosphatase in the lymphocyte is activated (when contacting the antigen-presenting cell)"
• "There is also a protein phosphatase that is able to remove the phosphate group."