phosphine

noun

phos·​phine ˈfäs-ˌfēn How to pronounce phosphine (audio)
1
: any of various derivatives of phosphine analogous to amines but weaker as bases
2
: a colorless poisonous flammable gas PH3 that is a weaker base than ammonia and that is used especially to fumigate stored grain

Examples of phosphine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web However, scientists have detected two gases, phosphine and ammonia, that on Earth would be considered biomarkers for life. Katie Hunt, CNN, 3 Aug. 2024 Since then, their discovery has faced pushback after other researchers weren't able to replicate the results, or said phosphine identified by the team was something else, Clements said. Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 30 July 2024 Almost four years later, scientists remain unsure about whether the phosphine is a product of living creatures, ordinary geological activity, or something else. Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 26 July 2024 At the surface, acetylene, hydrogen sulfides and phosphine molecules brush the planet into varied swirls that ring the planet. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for phosphine 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phosphine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of phosphine was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near phosphine

Cite this Entry

“Phosphine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphine. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

phosphine

noun
phos·​phine -ˌfēn How to pronounce phosphine (audio)
1
: a colorless poisonous flammable gas PH3 that is a weaker base than ammonia and that is used especially to fumigate stored grain
2
: any of various derivatives of phosphine analogous to amines but weaker as bases

More from Merriam-Webster on phosphine

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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