calcium phosphate

noun

: any of various phosphates of calcium: such as
a
: the phosphate CaH4P2O8 used as a fertilizer and in baking powder
b
: the phosphate CaHPO4 used in pharmaceutical preparations and animal feeds
c
: the phosphate Ca3P2O8 used as a fertilizer
d
: the naturally occurring phosphate Ca5(F,Cl,OH,¹/₂CO3)(PO4)3 that contains other elements or radicals and is the chief constituent of phosphate rock, bones, and teeth

Examples of calcium phosphate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The kit uses three whitening ingredients, amorphous calcium phosphate, fluoride and potassium nitrate, to help whiten teeth and comes in a range of concentrations. Korin Miller, wsj.com, 20 Sep. 2023 The Capricorn cell salt is calcium phosphate. BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2020 Each serving of 2 gummies contains 500 mg tribasic calcium phosphate, 1000 IU vitamin D, and 230 mg of phosphorus, which work in harmony for bone strengthening. Casey Seiden, Ms Rdn Cdn Cdces, Verywell Health, 12 Mar. 2023 In vertebrates, bones are mostly made up of calcium phosphate, as is tooth enamel. Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2023 Over time, plaque buildup causes tartar (calcium phosphate) to build up on teeth. James Robinson, Discover Magazine, 20 Oct. 2022 The most common calcium phosphate compound is tricalcium phosphate. James Robinson, Discover Magazine, 20 Oct. 2022 Our teeth are coated with enamel, a form of crystalline calcium phosphate that also happens to be the hardest substance in our bodies. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 11 May 2016 The results, recently published in Paleontology, show that within 24 hours every organ’s acidity reached the right range for calcium phosphate to crystallize, with these conditions lasting up to five days. Sasha Warren, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calcium phosphate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of calcium phosphate was in 1863

Dictionary Entries Near calcium phosphate

Cite this Entry

“Calcium phosphate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calcium%20phosphate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

calcium phosphate

noun
: any of various phosphates of calcium: as
a
: one used as a fertilizer
b
: a naturally occurring phosphate containing other elements (as fluorine) and occurring as an important part of phosphate-bearing rock, bones, and teeth

Medical Definition

calcium phosphate

noun
: any of various phosphates of calcium: as
a
: the phosphate CaHPO4 used in pharmaceutical preparations and animal feeds
b
: a naturally occurring phosphate of calcium Ca5(F,Cl,OH,¹/₂CO3)(PO4)3 that contains other elements or radicals and is the chief constituent of bones and teeth

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