Definition of "phosphate" []

• A salt or ester of phosphoric acid. (noun)
• A fertilizer containing phosphorus compounds. (noun)
• A soda fountain drink made by blending carbonated water with flavored syrup. (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.

• "_ "soluble" phosphate_, and such a superphosphate as the above would be described as containing 27.2 per cent of "soluble" phosphate."
• "A high concentration of phosphate is also conveniently at hand."
• "Add 5 ml of an ICE-COLD solution of a-amylase (2 mg/ml in phosphate buffer)."