phosphorus
noun
phos·pho·rus
ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs 
often attributive
1
: a phosphorescent substance or body
especially
: one that shines or glows in the dark
2
or less commonly phosphorous
: a nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family with atomic number 15 that occurs widely in combination especially as phosphates, that is essential for life in all known organisms, and that is used especially in fertilizers and organophosphorus compounds see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of phosphorus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While both oatmeal and millet are rich in manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium, millet provides antioxidants that can help reduce oxidative stress.
—
Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 15 Sep. 2025
Microbes convert inert nitrogen and phosphorus, for example, into forms life can use to build DNA molecules.
—Katherine Bourzac, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Nutritional yeast Nutritional yeast is rich in B vitamins, essential amino acids, and vitamins such as selenium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
Enhance Soil Fertility Rely on the soil sample analysis to determine the levels of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, and boron in your soil.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025
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Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 15 Sep. 2025
Microbes convert inert nitrogen and phosphorus, for example, into forms life can use to build DNA molecules.
—Katherine Bourzac, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Nutritional yeast Nutritional yeast is rich in B vitamins, essential amino acids, and vitamins such as selenium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
Enhance Soil Fertility Rely on the soil sample analysis to determine the levels of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, and boron in your soil.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phosphorus
Cite this Entry
“Phosphorus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphorus. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
phosphorus
noun
phos·pho·rus
ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs
1
: a phosphorescent substance
especially
: one that glows in the dark
2
: a nonmetallic element that occurs widely especially as phosphates see element
phosphoric
adjective
fäs-ˈfȯr-ik
-ˈfär-
phosphorous
adjective
ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs;
fäs-ˈfōr-əs
-ˈfȯr-
Medical Definition
phosphorus
noun
phos·pho·rus
ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs
often attributive
: a nonmetallic multivalent element that occurs widely in combined form especially as inorganic phosphates in minerals, soils, natural waters, bones, and teeth and as organic phosphates in all living cells and that exists in several allotropic forms
—symbol P
see Chemical Elements Table
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