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nitrification
noun
ni·tri·fi·ca·tion
ˌnī-trə-fə-ˈkā-shən
Examples of nitrification in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Together, the two stages form an important step (called nitrification) in the nitrogen cycle that operates on Earth.
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Jacek Krywko, Ars Technica, 13 Sep. 2023
The authors of the study examined a specific step in the marine nitrogen cycle, called nitrification, in which microorganisms convert one form of nitrogen, ammonium, into nitrate, a form plants and other marine microorganisms require to survive.
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Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 22 Dec. 2010
Biological processes like soil nitrification, wildfires, and lightning also produce NO₂, but research on Earth suggests that these sources provide far less of the overall total than anthropogenic sources—namely the burning of fossil fuels.
—
Meghan Herbst, Wired, 4 Mar. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nitrification.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1798, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near nitrification
Cite this Entry
“Nitrification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrification. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
nitrification
noun
ni·tri·fi·ca·tion
ˌnī-trə-fə-ˈkā-shən
: the process of combining, mixing, or filling with nitrogen or one of its compounds
especially
: the oxidation (as by bacteria) of ammonium salts to nitrites and then to nitrates
Medical Definition
nitrification
noun
ni·tri·fi·ca·tion
ˌnī-trə-fə-ˈkā-shən
More from Merriam-Webster on nitrification
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nitrification
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