apatite
noun
ap·a·tite
ˈa-pə-ˌtīt 
: any of a group of calcium phosphate minerals occurring in various colors as hexagonal crystals, as granular masses, or in fine-grained masses as the chief constituent of phosphate rock and of bones and teeth
especially
: calcium phosphate fluoride
Examples of apatite in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To determine what other minerals may have been key players in the ancient oceans, Kirkland hopes to look at rocks called apatites, which contain oxygen and other elements like strontium and phosphorus.
—
Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025
Another pair of intense apatite and diamond earrings take their name and colorful concept from the Sea of Serenity, which is a large dark lava sea located on the Earth-facing side of the Moon.
—Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
The analysis revealed the presence of zircon, apatite and rutile grains within the fragments.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 14 Aug. 2024
These rock particles contain fragile minerals called apatite and rutile that tell scientists about recent geology, as well as zircon, a super sturdy mineral that can let researchers peer billions of years into the past.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2024
But the apatite and rutile grains came from between 458 million and 470 million years ago.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 14 Aug. 2024
As a crystal of zircon, apatite or rutile forms, trace amounts of radioactive uranium get incorporated into its structure.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2024
The team took samples from two fragments of the Altar Stone and examined the age and chemistry of grains of zircon, apatite, and rutile using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, along with isotopic analysis.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 14 Aug. 2024
Carnivore leavings, for example, tend to be high in calcium phosphate, or apatite, a principal constituent of bone.
—Karen Wright, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
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Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025
Another pair of intense apatite and diamond earrings take their name and colorful concept from the Sea of Serenity, which is a large dark lava sea located on the Earth-facing side of the Moon.
—Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
The analysis revealed the presence of zircon, apatite and rutile grains within the fragments.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 14 Aug. 2024
These rock particles contain fragile minerals called apatite and rutile that tell scientists about recent geology, as well as zircon, a super sturdy mineral that can let researchers peer billions of years into the past.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2024
But the apatite and rutile grains came from between 458 million and 470 million years ago.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 14 Aug. 2024
As a crystal of zircon, apatite or rutile forms, trace amounts of radioactive uranium get incorporated into its structure.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2024
The team took samples from two fragments of the Altar Stone and examined the age and chemistry of grains of zircon, apatite, and rutile using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, along with isotopic analysis.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 14 Aug. 2024
Carnivore leavings, for example, tend to be high in calcium phosphate, or apatite, a principal constituent of bone.
—Karen Wright, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Apatite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apatite. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
apatite
noun
ap·a·tite
ˈap-ə-ˌtīt
: any of a group of variously colored minerals that are phosphates of calcium and that are used as a source of phosphorus and its compounds
Medical Definition
apatite
noun
ap·a·tite
ˈap-ə-ˌtīt
: any of a group of calcium phosphate minerals occurring variously as hexagonal crystals, as granular masses, or in fine-grained masses as the chief constituent of bones and teeth and of phosphate rock
especially
: calcium phosphate fluoride Ca5F(PO4)3
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