carbonate

1 of 2

noun

car·​bon·​ate ˈkär-bə-ˌnāt How to pronounce carbonate (audio)
-nət
: a salt or ester of carbonic acid

carbonate

2 of 2

verb

car·​bon·​ate ˈkär-bə-ˌnāt How to pronounce carbonate (audio)
carbonated; carbonating

transitive verb

1
: to convert into a carbonate
2
: to combine or infuse with carbon dioxide
carbonated beverages
carbonation
ˌkär-bə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce carbonate (audio)
noun

Examples of carbonate 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.
Noun
White liquor, which is used to break down wood into paper pulp, is made up of sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide and disodium carbonate, authorities said. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 11 June 2026 Two non-acetone solvents (propylene carbonate and methyl soyate) in the alcohol-free formula quickly break up color, shimmer, and chunky glitter with each swipe. — Sarah Felbin, Allure, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
It’s not made in the method champenoise style, but rather carbonated under pressure—hence less complex but certainly no less fun. — Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 6 Feb. 2026 Guthery also wants to take the carbon dioxide created from the brewery and use it to partially carbonate the beer. — Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for carbonate

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1788, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1805, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of carbonate was in 1788

Phrases Containing carbonate

Rhymes for carbonate

See All Rhymes for carbonate

Browse Nearby Words

carbonatation
carbonate
carbonate-apatite
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carbonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbonate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

carbonate

1 of 2 noun
car·​bon·​ate ˈkär-bə-ˌnāt How to pronounce carbonate (audio)
-nət
: a compound formed by the reaction of carbonic acid with another substance

carbonate

2 of 2 verb
car·​bon·​ate ˈkär-bə-ˌnāt How to pronounce carbonate (audio)
carbonated; carbonating
1
: to change into a carbonate
2
: to saturate with carbon dioxide
a carbonated beverage
carbonation
ˌkär-bə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce carbonate (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

carbonate

1 of 2 noun
car·​bon·​ate ˈkär-bə-ˌnāt, -nət How to pronounce carbonate (audio)
: a salt or ester of carbonic acid

carbonate

2 of 2 transitive verb
car·​bon·​ate -ˌnāt How to pronounce carbonate (audio)
carbonated; carbonating
1
: to convert into a carbonate
2
: to impregnate with carbon dioxide
carbonation
ˌkär-bə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce carbonate (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on carbonate

Nglish: Translation of carbonate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about carbonate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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