phosphorus
ˈfɑsfərəs
Definition Synonyms

Definition of phosphorus - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
chemistryTECH.chemical element with symbol P and atomic number 15TECH.
  • Phosphorus is essential for plant growth..
chemical element substance
2.
white solidTECH.toxic flammable white solid used in matches and pesticidesTECH.
  • White phosphorus must be handled with care.
chemical element phosphor
3.
medicalTECH.radioactive isotope used in medical tracersTECH.
  • Phosphorus-32 is used in cancer treatment.
marker radioisotope tracer
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Expressions with phosphorus

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toxic waxy substance that ignites in air, used in weapons
White phosphorus is used in smoke grenades and is highly toxic.
white solid chemical P₂O₅ used as a dehydrating agent
Phosphorus pentoxide is used to dry gases in the lab.
chemical compound PCl3 used in manufacturing
Phosphorus trichloride is used to make pesticides.

Origin of phosphorus

Greek, phos (light) + phoros (bearing)

Terms with phosphorus included in their meaning

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agriculture
fertilizer containing phosphorus compounds to enrich soil
phosphorus control
hormone controlling phosphorus and calcium in the body
chemistry
oxyacid of phosphorus with less oxygen than phosphoric acid
chemical family
any oxyacid of phosphorus from phosphorus pentoxide and water
DAPabbr.
abr: Diammonium Phosphate
fertilizer containing nitrogen and phosphorus for plants
chemistry
oxyacid of phosphorus with formula H₄P₂O₆
NPKabbr.
abr: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
mix of three main plant nutrients for soil
wetland
lacking plant nutrients like nitrogen or phosphorus

Examples of phosphorus in a sentence

  • White phosphorus can be highly toxic.
  • Phosphorus is crucial in making safety matches.
  • The lab stored phosphorus in secure containers.
  • Doctors use phosphorus in diagnostic tests.
  • Phosphorus helps in tracking the spread of disease.

View all translations of phosphorus

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:phosphore, phosphore blanc, ...
  2. German:Phosphor, ...
  3. Italian:fosforo, fosforo bianco, ...
  4. Spanish:fósforo, fósforo-32, ...
  5. Portuguese:fósforo, fósforo branco, ...
  6. Chinese:磷, 白磷, ...
  7. Japanese:リン, 白リン, ...
  8. Arabic:فُوسْفُور, فوسفور, ...
  9. Hebrew:זַרְחָן, פוֹספוֹר, ...
  10. Russian:фосфор, радиоактивный фосфор, ...
  11. Ukrainian:фосфор, ізотоп, ...
  12. Hindi:फॉस्फोरस, सफेद फॉस्फोरस, ...

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