ammonium sulfate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “ammonium sulfate” mean?
An inorganic salt with the chemical formula (NH₄)₂SO₄, produced by reacting ammonia with sulfuric acid.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An inorganic salt with the chemical formula (NH₄)₂SO₄, produced by reacting ammonia with sulfuric acid.
A white, crystalline, water-soluble solid widely used as a soil fertilizer and in various industrial processes. It is also known as diammonium sulfate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'sulfate' is standard in American English. In British English, the spelling 'ammonium sulphate' is common.
Connotations
Technical/scientific in both regions. No difference in connotations.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects outside specific technical fields.
Grammar
How to Use “ammonium sulfate” in a Sentence
[Substance] contains ammonium sulfate.[Process] produces ammonium sulfate.[Agent] applies ammonium sulfate to [object].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ammonium sulfate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The soil was treated with ammonium sulphate.
American English
- The manufacturer ammonium-sulfated the solution.
adjective
British English
- The ammonium sulphate content was high.
American English
- We need an ammonium-sulfate-based fertilizer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in discussions of agricultural supply, chemical manufacturing, and commodity trading.
Academic
Common in chemistry, soil science, agriculture, and environmental science textbooks and papers.
Everyday
Rarely used; a gardener might refer to "that white fertilizer powder."
Technical
Precise term for the specific chemical compound in laboratory, industrial, and agricultural settings.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ammonium sulfate”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ammonium sulfate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ammonium sulfate”
- Confusing 'ammonium sulfate' with 'ammonium nitrate' or 'ammonium phosphate'.
- Misspelling 'sulfate' as 'sulphate' in American contexts and vice versa in British contexts.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'an ammonium sulfate' – it is generally uncountable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an inorganic, synthetic fertilizer, though it contains nitrogen from ammonia.
No, it is best for plants that thrive in acidic soil, as it lowers soil pH.
Both provide nitrogen, but ammonium sulfate also provides sulfur and acidifies the soil, whereas urea does not.
It can irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory system. It is not highly toxic but should be handled with care, avoiding ingestion or inhalation of dust.
An inorganic salt with the chemical formula (NH₄)₂SO₄, produced by reacting ammonia with sulfuric acid.
Ammonium sulfate is usually technical/scientific in register.
Ammonium sulfate: in British English it is pronounced /əˈməʊniəm ˈsʌlfeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈmoʊniəm ˈsʌlˌfeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “There are no common idioms for this technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
AmMONium SULfate: MONey for plants (nitrogen) and SULfur for soil.
Conceptual Metaphor
FUEL FOR GROWTH (as a source of essential nutrients for plants).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary agricultural use of ammonium sulfate?