phosphorylate

[ fos-fer-uh-leyt, fos-fawr-uh-, -for- ]

verb (used with object)

, Chemistry.

, phos·pho·ryl·at·ed, phos·pho·ryl·at·ing.

1. to introduce the phosphoryl group into (an organic compound).

Other Words From

• phospho·ryl·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphorylate¹

First recorded in 1930–35; phosphor- + -yl + -ate ¹