phosphate rock
noun
: a rock that consists largely of calcium phosphate usually together with other minerals (such as calcium carbonate), is used in making fertilizers, and is a source of phosphorus compounds
Examples of phosphate rock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Phosphate fertilizers require phosphate rock, ammonia, and sulfuric acid.
—
Dan Eberhart, Forbes.com, 7 May 2026
The dunes are 35 million tons of phosphogypsum, a byproduct of mining waste and the processing of phosphate rock for acid and fertilizer production.
—Michelle Gumede, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Advertisement Elemental phosphorus is produced from phosphate rock, which is mined but is relatively rare.
—Jack Lohmann, Time, 30 Mar. 2026
Industrial minerals include lime, with the top producers being Alabama, Missouri, Ohio and Texas; gypsum from California, Iowa, Kansas and more; salt, much of which is produced in Kansas, Louisiana and Michigan; and phosphate rock, which is produced in Florida and Idaho, among others.
—Sahit Muja, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Phosphorus, derived from phosphate rock, is a fertilizer that fuels agriculture the world over, while copper finds its way into any number of electronics due to its conductivity.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 25 Feb. 2023
Better recycling programs might also help ween the world off phosphate rock.
—WIRED, 20 Jan. 2023
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Dan Eberhart, Forbes.com, 7 May 2026
The dunes are 35 million tons of phosphogypsum, a byproduct of mining waste and the processing of phosphate rock for acid and fertilizer production.
—Michelle Gumede, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Advertisement Elemental phosphorus is produced from phosphate rock, which is mined but is relatively rare.
—Jack Lohmann, Time, 30 Mar. 2026
Industrial minerals include lime, with the top producers being Alabama, Missouri, Ohio and Texas; gypsum from California, Iowa, Kansas and more; salt, much of which is produced in Kansas, Louisiana and Michigan; and phosphate rock, which is produced in Florida and Idaho, among others.
—Sahit Muja, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Phosphorus, derived from phosphate rock, is a fertilizer that fuels agriculture the world over, while copper finds its way into any number of electronics due to its conductivity.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 25 Feb. 2023
Better recycling programs might also help ween the world off phosphate rock.
—WIRED, 20 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Phosphate rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphate%20rock. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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