chelator

noun

che·​la·​tor ˈkē-ˌlā-tər 

kē-ˈlā-tər,

 also  ˈchē-ˌlā-tər,

chē-ˈlā-

: one that chelates

especially : a binding agent that suppresses chemical activity by forming chelates

Examples of chelator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Current chelators designed to treat lead poisoning can also remove essential metals such as calcium and zinc. —Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024

Over the next several days, Buttar treated Desiree with IV chelation therapy, vitamin cocktails and a lotion chelator rubbed on her arms. —Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 4 Aug. 2023

Share [Findings] Hemotoxic snakebite may be treatable with a heavy-metal chelator. —Will Stephenson, Harper's Magazine, 21 June 2023

Doctors put her on a chelator, which filters out lead from the blood. —Holly Bailey, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2023

Other work had flagged another type of chelator that wasn’t toxic but didn’t do as good of a job removing uranium, especially from bones and the kidney. —Lacy Schley, Discover Magazine, 27 June 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

chelator

noun

che·​la·​tor ˈkē-ˌlāt-ər 

: any of various compounds that combine with metals to form chelates and that include some used medically in the treatment of metal poisoning (as by lead)