sulfate

1 of 2

noun

sul·​fate ˈsəl-ˌfāt How to pronounce sulfate (audio)
1
: a salt or ester of sulfuric acid
2
: a divalent group or anion SO4 characteristic of sulfuric acid and the sulfates

sulfate

2 of 2

verb

sulfated; sulfating

transitive verb

: to treat or combine with sulfuric acid or a sulfate

Examples of sulfate 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
This silicone- and sulfate-free hair mask is love at first wash. — Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 29 May 2026 Make sure to use a soap that's fragrance- and dye-free and contains sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 25 June 2026
Verb
In fact, sulfate-free surfactants help to produce supple skin ready to be shaved. — Dallas News, 4 Oct. 2022 He was charged in April with providing oxycodone and morphine sulfate to a patient who died. — Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 4 May 2022 See All Example Sentences for sulfate

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Latin sulfur

First Known Use

Noun

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sulfate was in 1788

Phrases Containing sulfate

Rhymes for sulfate

See All Rhymes for sulfate

Browse Nearby Words

sulfatase
sulfate
sulfated oil
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

sulfate

noun
sul·​fate
ˈsəl-ˌfāt
: a compound and especially a salt formed by the reaction of sulfuric acid with another substance

Medical Definition

sulfate

1 of 2 noun
sul·​fate
variants or chiefly British sulphate
ˈsəl-ˌfāt How to pronounce sulfate (audio)
1
: a salt or ester of sulfuric acid
2
: a bivalent group or anion SO4 characteristic of sulfuric acid and the sulfates

sulfate

2 of 2 transitive verb
variants or chiefly British sulphate
sulfated or chiefly British sulphated; sulfating or chiefly British sulphating
: to treat or combine with sulfuric acid or a sulfate

More from Merriam-Webster on sulfate

Nglish: Translation of sulfate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sulfate

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