n.
Pronunciation: ' fäs- ˌ f ā t
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from acide phosphorique phosphoric acid
Date: 1788
1 a (1) : a salt or ester of a phosphoric acid (2) : the trivalent anion PO 4 3- derived from phosphoric acid H 3 PO 4 b : an organic compound of phosphoric acid in which the acid group is bound to nitrogen or a carboxyl group in a way that permits useful energy to be released (as in metabolism)
2 : an effervescent drink of carbonated water with a small amount of phosphoric acid flavored with fruit syrup
3 : a phosphatic material used for fertilizers