Standard Lemma guide

phosphonate

noun · verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Any salt or ester of a phosphonic acid; many of its derivatives have important biological activity.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: chemistry, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To react with a phosphonic acid derivative.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: chemistry, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From phosphonic acid + -ate (“salt or ester”).

Etymology tree English phosphonic acid Proto-Indo-European *-h2 Proto-Indo-European *-éh2 Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh2tos Proto-Italic *-ātos Latin -ātuslbor. English -ate English phosphonate From phosphonic acid + -ate (verb-forming suffix).

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: fosfonaatti — chemistry: salt or ester of phosphonic acid
  • Polish: fosfonian — chemistry: salt or ester of phosphonic acid