citrate

[ si-treyt, sahy- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a salt or ester of citric acid.

citrate

/ -rɪt; ˈsaɪtreɪt; ˈsɪtreɪt /

noun

1. any salt or ester of citric acid. Salts of citric acid are used in beverages and pharmaceuticals

citrate

/ sĭt′rāt′ /

1. A salt or ester of citric acid.

Word History and Origins

Origin of citrate¹

First recorded in 1785–95; citr(ic acid) + -ate ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of citrate¹

C18: from citr ( us ) + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

“Magnesium citrate is used before colonoscopies to really get the bowel going,” said Dr. Li.

From Los Angeles Times

Decades ago, to prepare for a colonoscopy, patients first had to clean out their colons using laxatives such as castor oil or magnesium citrate, sometimes over several days.

From Washington Post

Paul Adams, the senior science research editor at Cook’s Illustrated, has written about the stabilizing powers of sodium citrate, an ingredient found in processed cheeses like Velveeta.

From New York Times

Viagra, known generically as sildenafil citrate, was patented by the drugmaker Pfizer in the 1990s and was initially used as a treatment for chest pain related to the heart.

From New York Times

It started with a big surprise in 2003, when one colony evolved to eat citrate, a compound the other colonies couldn’t metabolize.

From New York Times