Meaning & use
carbamates
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“carbamates” is a form of “carbamate”.
Meaning
nounpluralchemistry
A group of chemical compounds made from carbamic acid, many of which are used as insecticides, herbicides, or medicines.
Grammar: Plural of carbamate; used with plural verbs: carbamates are toxic to insects.
Patterns
- exposure to carbamates
Some carbamates are used to kill insects on crops.
Farmers must wear protective gear when spraying carbamates.
Carbamates affect the nervous system of pests.
Word forms
| singular | carbamate |
|---|
Common combinations
- carbamate pesticide
- A carbamate pesticide was sprayed on the field.
- exposure to carbamates
- Exposure to carbamates can cause headaches.
- carbamate poisoning
- The clinic treated cases of carbamate poisoning.
- organophosphates and carbamates
- Organophosphates and carbamates are both insecticide groups.
Synonyms and how they differ
- pesticides
- Pesticides is the broad category, while carbamates names one specific chemical family within it.
- insecticides
- Insecticides kill insects of any chemical type, whereas carbamates are defined by their chemistry.
- urethanes
- Urethane is an older term for carbamate esters but is more common in polymer chemistry.
Word family
- carbamate noun
- one compound of this kind
- carbamic adjective
- relating to carbamic acid
- carbamoyl adjective
- describing a chemical group related to carbamic acid
Commonly confused: carbamates or carbonates?
carbamates vs carbonates
Carbonates are salts of carbonic acid, such as limestone, while carbamates are derived from carbamic acid.
Practice
Which is a common use of carbamates?
Choose one answer.
Many carbamates are insecticides. They are not rocks, sweeteners, or vitamins.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “carbamates”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.