organophosphate

O1R1G2A1N1O1P3H4O1S1P3H4A1T1E1

noun

Any ester of phosphoric acid or its derivatives, especially one used as an insecticide or herbicide.

UncommonScrabble 26

Meanings

nounorganophosphate (plural organophosphates)

plural organophosphates

  1. chemistryAny ester of phosphoric acid or its derivatives, especially one used as an insecticide or herbicide.

    Like other nerve agents, they are organophosphate compounds, but the chemicals used to make novichoks, and their final structures, are considered classified in the UK, the US and other countries.

    2018 March 13, Ian Sample, “Novichok nerve agents – what are they?”, in The Guardian
    1 more example

    The paper found high levels of phased-out flame retardants like PCBs and PBDEs, as well as allegedly safe, newer replacements chemicals, such as chlorinated paraffins and organophosphates, across the globe.

    2023 October 18, Tom Perkins, “Flame retardant pollution threatens wildlife on all continents, research finds”, in The Guardian

Origin

  1. Englishorgano-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*bʰeh₂-
  3. Proto-Indo-European*bʰéh₂os
  4. Proto-Hellenic*pʰáwos
  5. Ancient Greekφᾰ́ος (phắos)
  6. Ancient Greekφῶς (phôs)
  7. Proto-Indo-European*bʰer-
  8. Proto-Indo-European*bʰéreti
  9. Proto-Hellenic*pʰérō
  10. Ancient Greekφέρω (phérō)
  11. Ancient Greekφωσφόρος (phōsphóros)
  12. Latinphōsphorus
  13. Frenchphosphore
  14. Frenchphosphate
  15. Englishphosphate
  16. Englishorganophosphate

From organo- + phosphate.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 有机磷
  • 有机磷 (yǒujīlín)ester of phosphoric acid
Finnish organofosfaatti
  • organofosfaattiester of phosphoric acid
Italian organofosfato
  • organofosfatoester of phosphoric acid
Spanish organofosfato
  • organofosfatoester of phosphoric acid
Cite this entry
APA

organophosphate. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/organophosphate

MLA

“organophosphate.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/organophosphate. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “organophosphate,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/organophosphate.

Source: organophosphate on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.