Word
carbonate
Phoneticscar·bon·ate, stress on the first syllable
/ˈkɑɹbəˌneɪt/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a chemical compound that contains carbon and oxygen. You often find these in rocks like limestone or in fizzy drinks.
n. a salt or ester of carbonic acid, containing the anion CO3 2−. Often refers to minerals found in the earth's crust or chemical additives in industrial processes.
Examples
“Calcium carbonate is the main ingredient in chalk.”
“The geologist identified the rock as a type of carbonate because it reacted with the acid solution.”
“The accumulation of marine organism shells on the ocean floor eventually forms thick layers of sedimentary carbonate rock over millions of years.”
Examples
simple
“Calcium carbonate is the main ingredient in chalk.”
contextual
“The geologist identified the rock as a type of carbonate because it reacted with the acid solution.”
complex
“The accumulation of marine organism shells on the ocean floor eventually forms thick layers of sedimentary carbonate rock over millions of years.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the chemical substance in general; countable when referring to specific chemical varieties or salts.
Real-World Examples
“When limestone is heated to about 1,380 degrees Fahrenheit (750 degrees Celsius), the calcium carbonate, which makes up most of the rock, decomposes, leaving solid calcium oxide and carbon dioxide gas.” “During the reaction, sodium hydroxide captures carbon released from the plastics and converts it into solid sodium carbonate.” “When mixed with lime, blood proteins trigger a reaction that causes calcium carbonate to form around the pigment particles.” “The third output—calcium carbonate—could help displace some quarried limestone rock in the production of cement, 4.2 billion metric tons of which are produced every year.” Etymology
From French carbonate, equivalent of carbon + -ate (“suffix used for salts of acids ending in -ic”).
From carbon + -ate (verb-forming suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Idioms
01. carbonated water
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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