phos·pho·rus
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Definition of phosphorus
2
or less commonly phosphorous \ ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs
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: a nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family with atomic number 15 that occurs widely in combination especially as phosphates, that is essential for life in all known organisms, and that is used especially in fertilizers and organophosphorus compounds — see Chemical Elements Table
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: a nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family with atomic number 15 that occurs widely in combination especially as phosphates, that is essential for life in all known organisms, and that is used especially in fertilizers and organophosphorus compounds — see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of phosphorus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The runoff contains large quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus that stimulate the growth of phytoplankton in the water. — Jen Christensen, CNN, "The Gulf dead zone was expected to be a record-breaker. A hurricane may have stopped it," 1 Aug. 2019 Seagrass thrives on a ratio of high nitrogen and low phosphorus. — Jenny Staletovich, sun-sentinel.com, "New Study Says Everglades Water Is Harming Keys Corals. Not Everyone Agrees.," 28 July 2019 Algae blooms, like the kind proliferating in Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana and off the Gulf coast of Mississippi, are typically caused when nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fertilizer and animal manure runs off land and into water. — Zoë Schlanger, Quartz, "Tropical Storm Barry could make a bad algae bloom worse," 13 July 2019 Apply a fertilizer with a high percentage of nitrogen and without any phosphorus (first and second numbers of the fertilizer analysis respectively). — Neil Sperry, star-telegram, "Here’s your gardening to-do list for the second part of the summer," 11 July 2018 This lack of oxygen is generally caused by an excessive amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water, which causes an overgrowth of algae. — Mi Clear, Detroit Free Press, "MI CLEAR brings together diverse groups to reduce algae blooms in Lake Erie," 20 June 2018 The district has been mandated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to make treatment plant improvements that will reduce the amount of phosphorus discharged into the Fox River. — Mike Danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "23 percent water rate hike for Fox River residents kicks in July 1," 9 June 2018 As Boston descended into winter, Subbarow began to spend every waking moment in the lab, working with associate professor Dr. Cyrus Fiske on a new method to measure the amount of inorganic phosphorus in biologic tissue. — Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, "We Are Scientists," 5 June 2018 Since its construction in 1928, the Conowingo has trapped sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus that flow down the Susquehanna from Pennsylvania and New York. — Scott Dance, baltimoresun.com, "Conowingo Dam owner Exelon sues Maryland officials over demands that it help reduce Susquehanna River pollution," 1 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'phosphorus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for phosphorus
phosphorus
noun
English Language Learners Definition of phosphorus
chemistry
: a poisonous chemical element that glows in the dark and burns when it is touched by air
See the full definition for phosphorus in the English Language Learners Dictionary
phosphorus
noun
phos·pho·rus
| \ ˈfäs-fə-rəs
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Kids Definition of phosphorus
: a white or yellowish waxy chemical element that gives a faint glow in moist air
phos·pho·rus
| \ ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs
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Medical Definition of phosphorus
: a nonmetallic multivalent element that occurs widely in combined form especially as inorganic phosphates in minerals, soils, natural waters, bones, and teeth and as organic phosphates in all living cells and that exists in several allotropic forms
—symbol P
— see Chemical Elements Table
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