1 sulfate | Definition of sulfate

sulfate

noun
sul·​fate | \ ˈsəl-ˌfāt How to pronounce sulfate (audio) \

Definition of sulfate

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a salt or ester of sulfuric acid
2 : a divalent group or anion SO4 characteristic of sulfuric acid and the sulfates

sulfate

verb
sulfated; sulfating

Definition of sulfate (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to treat or combine with sulfuric acid or a sulfate

Examples of sulfate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

To save your hair, sodium lauryl sulfate is sometimes converted into sodium laureth sulfate through a process called ethoxylation. Olivia Fleming & Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Ultimate Guide to Clean Beauty," 12 Aug. 2019 And for reds, a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner like Shu Uemura Color Lustre Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Mask is key. Glamour, "6 Ways to Protect Color-Treated Hair When You Go Swimming," 28 Apr. 2019 For maintenance, Dugan suggests returning to the salon for a balayage and gloss refresh around 12 weeks and using professional sulfate-free shampoo conditioner and heat protectant. Amanda Mitchell, Allure, "Caramel Mocha Balayage Is the Prettiest Transitional Hair-Color Trend for Fall," 14 Aug. 2019 The Eyes Eyes Baby Anti-Aging Eye Cream ($21.99; amazon.com) from Fleur & Bee is a super rich and moisturizing eye cream made from natural ingredients and free from parabens, sulfates and artificial fragrances. Nikhita Mahtani, CNN Underscored, "Want to fight dark circles? Look for these ingredients in your next eye cream," 10 Aug. 2019 Most studies have focused on aerosols made from sulfates, which are spread in the atmosphere by volcanic eruptions. John Fialka, Scientific American, "Risks of Controversial Geoengineering Approach “May Be Overstated”," 3 July 2019 Freshwater acidification, caused not by rising CO2 levels, but by airborne sulfate and nitrate pollution, may render those molecules unrecognizable. Elizabeth Preston, Science | AAAS, "A growing sensory smog threatens the ability of fish to communicate, navigate, and survive," 20 June 2019 Duffy allegedly diluted an 89-year-old hospice patient’s morphine sulfate prescription with another liquid during March 2019 while working as a registered nurse at Hunt Nursing and Rehab in Danvers, officials said. Sofia Saric, BostonGlobe.com, "Haverhill registered nurse charged with diluting patients’ morphine," 2 July 2019 The line includes the sulfate-free Hydrating Shampoo, the Fortifying Conditioner, the Tangle Slayer Conditioning Cream for curly hair and another one for coily hair, and the Intense Recovery Treatment. Shalwah Evans, Essence, "Procter & Gamble’s My Black Is Beautiful Launches Hair Care Line With Sally Beauty," 1 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The team also found that sulfated anophelins are more effective than hirudin, a blood-thinning molecule derived from the salivary juices of leeches, which is occasionally used in clinical settings. Vanessa Zainzinger, Science | AAAS, "Mosquito spit can bust blood clots in mice," 10 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sulfate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of sulfate

Noun

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1888, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for sulfate

Noun

French, from Latin sulfur

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More Definitions for sulfate

sulfate

noun

English Language Learners Definition of sulfate

chemistry : a salt that is formed when sulfuric acid reacts with another chemical element

sulfate

noun
sul·​fate
variants: or chiefly British sulphate \ ˈsəl-​ˌfāt How to pronounce sulphate (audio) \

Medical Definition of sulfate

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a salt or ester of sulfuric acid
2 : a bivalent group or anion SO4 characteristic of sulfuric acid and the sulfates

sulfate

transitive verb
variants: or chiefly British sulphate
sulfated or chiefly British sulphated; sulfating or chiefly British sulphating

Medical Definition of sulfate (Entry 2 of 2)

: to treat or combine with sulfuric acid or a sulfate

More from Merriam-Webster on sulfate

Nglish: Translation of sulfate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sulfate