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 oxide

Examples of nitrous oxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Just before the turn of the century, William James, the father of modern religious studies, experimented with nitrous oxide. — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Tottenham attempted to offload Bissouma last summer, and the club later initiated another internal investigation after an image leaked of Bissouma inhaling nitrous oxide from a balloon again. — Colin Millar, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Seven firearms and an undisclosed amount of nitrous oxide were also seized, officers noted. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2026

Traditional wool LCAs tally greenhouse gases, including methane from sheep digestion and nitrous oxide from manure and urine. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nitrous oxide

• acetamide
• acetonide
• acidified
• antimonide
• beatified
• benzaldehyde
• borohydride
• chalcogenide
• commodified
• decalcified
• declassified
• disaccharide

Kids Definition

nitrous oxide

noun

: a colorless gas that when inhaled causes loss of the ability to feel pain and sometimes produces laughter and is used especially in dentistry

called also laughing gas

Medical Definition

nitrous oxide

noun

: a colorless gas N₂O that when inhaled produces loss of sensibility to pain preceded by exhilaration and sometimes laughter and is used especially as an anesthetic in dentistry

called also laughing gas