phos ‧ phate /ˈfɒsfeɪt $ ˈfɑːs-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[ Date: 1700-1800 ; Language: French ; Origin: acide phosphorique 'phosphoric acid' ]
1 . one of the various forms of a ↑ salt of ↑ phosphorus , often used in industry
2 . [usually plural] a substance containing a phosphate used for making plants grow better