Definition of phosphate
i. n. Any compound or mineral containing essential tetrahedral phosphate, (PO4 )3- , structural entities; e.g., apatite, amblygonite, or monazite.
ii. n. An ore or mineral commodity supplying phosphorus, usually for agricultural or chemical purposes. The source materials for phosphate are marine phosphorite and, less commonly, guano and apatite-rich igneous rocks.
q.v. phosphatic.
Compare with: vanadate, arsenate
ii. n. An ore or mineral commodity supplying phosphorus, usually for agricultural or chemical purposes. The source materials for phosphate are marine phosphorite and, less commonly, guano and apatite-rich igneous rocks.
q.v. phosphatic.
Compare with: vanadate, arsenate