phosphate (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/ˈfəʊsfeɪt/

Meaning

Phosphate refers to a salt or ester of phosphoric acid containing the anion PO₄³⁻. It is commonly found in various biological and chemical processes. Phosphates play a crucial role in energy transfer through ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and are essential nutrients for plant growth. In everyday language, the term can also refer to the inorganic compounds containing the phosphate ion used in fertilizers, detergents, and food additives.

Usage: The term "phosphate" is frequently used in both scientific contexts, such as chemistry and biology, and in discussions about agriculture, environmental issues, and nutrition. Its frequency of use is moderate but tends to be more common in written contexts, particularly scientific literature, articles, and reports.

Example Sentences

1. The soil was enriched with phosphate to improve crop yield.
   Эта почва была обогащена фосфатами, чтобы улучшить урожай.

2. Phosphate ions play a significant role in cellular processes.
   Ионы фосфата играют важную роль в клеточных процессах.

3. Many fertilizers contain high levels of phosphate to promote plant growth.
   Многие удобрения содержат высокие уровни фосфата для стимуляции роста растений.

Idiomatic Expressions

While "phosphate" isn't commonly used in idiomatic expressions, it does appear in various contexts related to its biological and chemical significance.

1. "Drained of phosphate" – Refers to soil or an ecosystem that has lost its phosphate content, leading to poor nutrient availability.

2. The agricultural land was drained of phosphate, causing the crops to fail.
   Сельскохозяйственная земля была истощена фосфатами, что привело к неудаче урожая.

3. "Phosphate pollution" – Referring to the contamination of water bodies with phosphates mainly from fertilizers, leading to algal blooms.

4. Phosphate pollution in the lake has affected the local fish population.
   Загрязнение фосфатами в озере повлияло на местное население рыб.

5. "Phosphate availability" - Indicates how easily plants can obtain phosphates from the soil.

6. The study focused on phosphate availability in organic versus synthetic fertilizers.
   Исследование сосредоточилось на доступности фосфата в органических и синтетических удобрениях.

Etymology

The term "phosphate" originates from the Greek word "phosphoros," which means "light-bringer" or "phosphor," in reference to phosphorus. The suffix "-ate" is used in chemistry to denote the presence of a specific ion or compound.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms:
- Phosphoric acid salt
- Phosphate salt
- Phosphor

Antonyms:
- None (as "phosphate" is a specific chemical term with no direct opposites)

This structured approach provides a comprehensive overview of the term "phosphate."