phosphatase

noun

phos·​pha·​tase ˈfäs-fə-ˌtās How to pronounce phosphatase (audio)
-ˌtāz
: an enzyme that accelerates the hydrolysis and synthesis of organic esters of phosphoric acid and the transfer of phosphate groups to other compounds:

Examples of phosphatase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Common options include: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test: ALP is an enzyme is found in the liver, kidneys, bones, and digestive system. Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 16 Aug. 2024 Researchers also discovered that the sticky hairs on the plant's flower stalk produce phosphatase, a digestive enzyme used by many carnivorous plants to obtain phosphorous from prey. Lauren M. Johnson, CNN, 10 Aug. 2021 The condition is caused by a mutation in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene, which is responsible for making a substance that suppresses tumors. Maggie O'Neill, Health.com, 8 Apr. 2020 So Halámek and his team focused on levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an enzyme found in blood, to determine age. National Geographic, 29 June 2016 You're stumped because of all the protein phosphatase 1 coursing through your brain. Brendan I. Koerner, WIRED, 1 Aug. 2003

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phosphatase was in 1912

Dictionary Entries Near phosphatase

Cite this Entry

“Phosphatase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphatase. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

phosphatase

noun
phos·​pha·​tase ˈfäs-fə-ˌtās, -ˌtāz How to pronounce phosphatase (audio)
: an enzyme that accelerates the hydrolysis and synthesis of organic esters of phosphoric acid and the transfer of phosphate groups to other compounds:

More from Merriam-Webster on phosphatase

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!