Phosphorus

Pronunciation

• RP enPR: fŏsʹfÉ™rÉ™s, IPA: /ˈfÉ’sfÉ™rÉ™s/
• US enPR: fäsʹfÉ™rÉ™s, IPA: /ˈfÉ‘sfɚəs/
• Homophones: phosphorous, Phosphorus

Origin

Borrowing from la phōsphorus, from Ancient Greek φωσφόρος ("the bearer of light"), from φῶς ("light") + φέρω ("to bear, to carry").

Full definition of phosphorus

Noun

1. (chemistry) a chemical element (symbol P) with an atomic number of 15, that exists in several allotropic forms.
2. (obsolete) any substance exhibiting phosphorescence; a phosphor

Usage notes

Do not confuse phosphorus with phosphorous, which is an adjective.

Derived terms

Related terms