carbonate

1 of 2

noun

car·​bon·​ate ˈkär-bə-ˌnāt How to pronounce carbonate (audio)
-nət
: a salt or ester of carbonic acid

carbonate

2 of 2

verb

car·​bon·​ate ˈkär-bə-ˌnāt How to pronounce carbonate (audio)
carbonated; carbonating

transitive verb

1
: to convert into a carbonate
2
: to combine or infuse with carbon dioxide
carbonated beverages
carbonation noun

Examples of carbonate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Magnesium and iron from crystals of olivine, for example, have ended up in carbonate—a common product of weathering facilitated by water. Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, 18 Sep. 2023 The Venusian surface became hot enough that carbonate rocks broke down and released carbon dioxide into the air, which triggered even more warming. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2024 Third, the microbe induces precipitation of carbonate minerals by creating an environment that favors combining the cations generated in the second step with the bicarbonate generated in the first step. Dina Genkina, Ars Technica, 1 Feb. 2024 As the ocean becomes more acidic, fewer carbonate ions are available. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Jan. 2024 In the new study, the system autonomously experimented with lithium hexafluorophosphate salt and the solvents ethylene carbonate, ethyl-methyl carbonate, and dimethyl carbonate. IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2023 The gas is first captured and turned into a solid carbonate, and then the carbonate is heated to release the carbon dioxide for conversion into a fuel. IEEE Spectrum, 7 Nov. 2023 In the first cell, a bismuth electrode releases protons that separates CO2 from the carbonates and bicarbonates in the water, while a silver chloride electrode releases chloride ions to balance charge. IEEE Spectrum, 15 Aug. 2023 While both the carbonate and chelated forms of magnesium can boost your magnesium level, note that magnesium carbonate may have a laxative effect. Willow Jarosh, Ms, Rd, Health, 27 June 2023
Verb
On Walmart Pros The machine can carbonate any beverage. Topher Gauk-Roger, Peoplemag, 26 Oct. 2023 Soda maker cartridges aka carbonating or CO2 cylinders make 60 liters of sparkling water. Topher Gauk-Roger, Peoplemag, 26 Oct. 2023 One carbonating cylinder can create a whopping 60 liters of sparkling deliciousness. Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2023 However, seltzer is artificially carbonated using carbon dioxide and sparkling water is naturally carbonated or lightly artificially carbonated, says SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD. Sarah Felbin, womenshealthmag.com, 26 May 2023 He’s currently scrapped his plans to use his degree for a career in economic development and at this point is a cider start-up in the truest sense — his first production batch was 250 gallons and is currently carbonating. oregonlive, 31 Mar. 2023 Most beers are carbonated with carbon dioxide, but Guinness uses a mix of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Christine Mattheis, Health, 24 Feb. 2023 Pieces of the Puzzle To determine past seasonal effects on the transition to grasslands, Kukla and his team examined oxygen isotopes left behind in clay and carbonate minerals by rain or snow. Theo Nicitopoulos, Discover Magazine, 15 Apr. 2022 The mudstone and carbonate sediment around the specimens indicates that the site had been deep underwater. Max G. Levy, WIRED, 19 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'carbonate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1788, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1805, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of carbonate was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near carbonate

Cite this Entry

“Carbonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbonate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

carbonate

1 of 2 noun
car·​bon·​ate ˈkär-bə-ˌnāt How to pronounce carbonate (audio)
-nət
: a compound formed by the reaction of carbonic acid with another substance

carbonate

2 of 2 verb
car·​bon·​ate ˈkär-bə-ˌnāt How to pronounce carbonate (audio)
carbonated; carbonating
1
: to change into a carbonate
2
: to saturate with carbon dioxide
a carbonated beverage
carbonation noun

Medical Definition

carbonate

1 of 2 noun
car·​bon·​ate ˈkär-bə-ˌnāt, -nət How to pronounce carbonate (audio)
: a salt or ester of carbonic acid

carbonate

2 of 2 transitive verb
car·​bon·​ate -ˌnāt How to pronounce carbonate (audio)
carbonated; carbonating
1
: to convert into a carbonate
2
: to impregnate with carbon dioxide
carbonation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on carbonate

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