-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
orthophosphate
noun
or·tho·phos·phate
ˌȯr-thə-ˈfäs-ˌfāt
: a salt or ester of orthophosphoric acid
Examples of orthophosphate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fluoride, chlorine and orthophosphate are added to the water just prior to leaving the treatment plants.
—
Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2024
Lead levels in drinking water have declined significantly with the service line replacements and with the addition of orthophosphate, a food-grade additive that can protect pipes from corrosion, to the water.
—
Jen Christensen, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024
An April 5 water sample detected 2.1 milligrams per liter of orthophosphate, a form of phosphorus.
—
Li Cohen, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2021
Since detecting elevated lead levels, Aqua has used a chemical treatment, orthophosphate, which is a common corrosion inhibitor added to a municipality’s water supply to coat the inside of water pipes and prevent lead from leaching into water that comes out of the taps.
—
Mike Nolan, chicagotribune.com, 19 July 2021
The Water Department continually treats city water with a chemical called orthophosphate that creates a film on the inside of pipes and plumbing and forms a hard barrier that prevents lead from leaching into the water.
—
Peter Krouse, cleveland, 9 Dec. 2021
The next month, the state issued a permit for the city to pump orthophosphate and polyphosphate into the water to coat the pipes and prevent erosion.
—
John Flesher and David Eggert, Detroit Free Press, 8 Nov. 2021
To improve the applications of chlorine for disinfection and orthophosphate for corrosion control.
—
Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 2 Nov. 2021
The federal government outlawed lead in pipe construction in the 1980s, and additives like orthophosphate prevent it from corroding into the water.
—
Jonathan Schifman, Popular Mechanics, 8 Aug. 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1859, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near orthophosphate
Cite this Entry
“Orthophosphate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orthophosphate. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Medical Definition
orthophosphate
noun
or·tho·phos·phate
ˌȯr-thə-ˈfäs-ˌfāt
: a salt or ester of orthophosphoric acid
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share