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Glite Dictionary
tribasic sodium phosphate

tribasic sodium phosphate

6.8
A white chemical salt that softens water and helps remove dirt in detergents
  • noun
  • /traɪˈbeɪsɪk ˈsoʊdiəm ˈfɔsfeɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fosfato sódico tribásico
  • Tribasic sodium phosphate is often added to detergents to soften water and enhance cleaning power.

Examples

  • The chemical formula for tribasic sodium phosphate is Na3PO4.

  • Due to environmental concerns, the use of tribasic sodium phosphate in household soaps has been reduced.

  • The laboratory ordered a new supply of tribasic sodium phosphate for its experiments.

  • Many detergents contain tribasic sodium phosphate as a key ingredient.

  • Tribasic sodium phosphate is often added to detergents to soften water and enhance cleaning power.

  • Due to environmental concerns, the use of tribasic sodium phosphate in household soaps has been reduced.

  • Many detergents contain tribasic sodium phosphate as a key ingredient.

Synonyms

sodium phosphate
vstribasic sodium phosphate
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A white salt used as a laxative and in cleaners, food processing, and water treatment

is the specific most basic salt chiefly used as a builder in cleaning
trisodium orthophosphate
vstribasic sodium phosphate
  • Specialized
9.5

A chemical used in soaps and cleaning products to help them clean

is the same compound but called with a different systematic name
trisodium phosphate
vstribasic sodium phosphate
  • Specialized
6.0

A white powder that cleans heavy dirt and grease in soaps and cleaners

highlights the chemical's exact basic salt identity rather than cleaning use

Surface Forms

tribasic sodium phosphate singular
tribasic sodium phosphates plural

Morphology

tribasic + sodium + phosphate

A learner who knows 'sodium' and 'phosphate' can plausibly infer this is a sodium salt of phosphate, and the 'tri-' prefix suggests 'three', so the compound being a three-sodium (or three‑fold) phosphate is partially predictable. However, 'tribasic' is a technical chemistry term whose precise implication (replacement of three acidic hydrogens / the exact stoichiometry Na3PO4) requires domain knowledge beyond general vocabulary, so the meaning is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Tribasic sodium phosphate describes its parts: tri- means 'three', basic means it has three places for sodium to attach to phosphate. So, the name simply tells you it is a phosphate with 'three' sodium atoms, which helps explain why it is used to 'soften water' and help clean.