1. A binary compound of phosphorus with a more electropositive element or radical.
Usage: chemistry; technical

Examples

• Calcium phosphide is used as a rodenticide in agriculture.
• The chemist synthesized a new metal phosphide for the semiconductor experiment.
• Zinc phosphide is commonly employed as a pesticide for controlling rodent populations.
• Phosphides of transition metals have interesting catalytic properties.
• The compound formed when phosphorus reacts with sodium is sodium phosphide.