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
Levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium released into the surrounding environment were significantly lower than those associated with conventional fertiliser use, suggesting potential environmental benefits alongside higher crop productivity.
—
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 17 May 2026
Seitan also contains nutrients like selenium, iron, calcium, and phosphorus.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 17 May 2026
Consequently, blood and urine tests in affected cats usually show elevated levels of creatinine, urea, phosphorus, and other metabolites.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
To get your cucumber plant to produce more flowers, apply a phosphorus-rich fertilizer.
—Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
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Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 17 May 2026
Seitan also contains nutrients like selenium, iron, calcium, and phosphorus.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 17 May 2026
Consequently, blood and urine tests in affected cats usually show elevated levels of creatinine, urea, phosphorus, and other metabolites.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
To get your cucumber plant to produce more flowers, apply a phosphorus-rich fertilizer.
—Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for phosphorus
Cite this Entry
“Phosphorus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphorus. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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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