nitrous oxide
noun
: a colorless gas N2O that when inhaled produces loss of sensibility to pain preceded by exhilaration and sometimes laughter, that is used especially as an anesthetic in dentistry and as a fuel, and that is an atmospheric pollutant and greenhouse gas produced by combustion
called also laughing gas
compare nitric oxideExamples of nitrous oxide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Though his downfall, involving nitrous oxide, makes for the show’s most authentically unnerving scene, the character is mostly played for laughs.
—
Sophia Nguyen, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
Earlier this week, authorities said that the building was not supposed to contain the butane and nitrous oxide tanks that were found on the property.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2024
In the new study, the team showed that lightning can’t make ammonia, methane, or nitrous oxide on its own, making those chemicals even more reliable signs of life.
—Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024
The distributor also openly sells nitrous oxide, which is largely unregulated.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2024
Exposure to gamma radiation can ionize oxygen and nitrogen, creating elevated levels of nitrous oxides.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024
But inhaling nitrous oxide can deliver a short-lasting high, and a 2022 study published by the Journal of Psychopharmacology found recreational nitrous oxide use has increased in recent decades.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2024
Inside the facility were 100,000 vape pens, each with a lithium battery, plus a currently unknown number of canisters filled with nitrous oxide and butane, officials said.
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024
According to Clinton Township’s website, the canisters contain butane, nitrous oxide and lighter fluid, measuring up to 18 inches in size and weighing up to 15 pounds each.
—Leo Sands, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Sophia Nguyen, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
Earlier this week, authorities said that the building was not supposed to contain the butane and nitrous oxide tanks that were found on the property.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2024
In the new study, the team showed that lightning can’t make ammonia, methane, or nitrous oxide on its own, making those chemicals even more reliable signs of life.
—Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024
The distributor also openly sells nitrous oxide, which is largely unregulated.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2024
Exposure to gamma radiation can ionize oxygen and nitrogen, creating elevated levels of nitrous oxides.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024
But inhaling nitrous oxide can deliver a short-lasting high, and a 2022 study published by the Journal of Psychopharmacology found recreational nitrous oxide use has increased in recent decades.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2024
Inside the facility were 100,000 vape pens, each with a lithium battery, plus a currently unknown number of canisters filled with nitrous oxide and butane, officials said.
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024
According to Clinton Township’s website, the canisters contain butane, nitrous oxide and lighter fluid, measuring up to 18 inches in size and weighing up to 15 pounds each.
—Leo Sands, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nitrous oxide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Nitrous oxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrous%20oxide. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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