phosphorus
noun
phos·pho·rus
ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs 
often attributive
1
: a phosphorescent substance or body
especially
: one that shines or glows in the dark
2
or less commonly phosphorous
: 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
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Metroplex recommendations, however, suggest less phosphorus (middle number of the analysis) or even all nitrogen such as ammonium sulfate applied to our alkaline black clay gumbo soils.
—
Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Jan. 2025
Packed with iron, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins, turnip extract infuses Davines’ volume-boosting shampoo.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024
Scrupulous use of fertilizers requires less of a production carbon footprint and in many cases less runoff or leaching of nitrate and phosphorus.
—Steven Savage, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Once buds appear, switch to a bloom-boosting fertilizer that is higher than phosphorus.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Nov. 2024
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Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Jan. 2025
Packed with iron, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins, turnip extract infuses Davines’ volume-boosting shampoo.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024
Scrupulous use of fertilizers requires less of a production carbon footprint and in many cases less runoff or leaching of nitrate and phosphorus.
—Steven Savage, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Once buds appear, switch to a bloom-boosting fertilizer that is higher than phosphorus.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for phosphorus
Dictionary Entries Near phosphorus
Cite this Entry
“Phosphorus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphorus. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
phosphorus
noun
phos·pho·rus
ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs
1
: a phosphorescent substance
especially
: one that glows in the dark
2
: a nonmetallic element that occurs widely especially as phosphates see element
phosphoric
adjective
fäs-ˈfȯr-ik
-ˈfär-
phosphorous
adjective
ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs;
fäs-ˈfōr-əs
-ˈfȯr-
Medical Definition
phosphorus
noun
phos·pho·rus
ˈfäs-f(ə-)rəs
often attributive
: 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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