ammonia

noun

am·mo·nia | \ ə-ˈmō-nyə

Definition of ammonia

1 : a pungent colorless gaseous alkaline compound of nitrogen and hydrogen NH₃ that is very soluble in water and can easily be condensed to a liquid by cold and pressure

2 : ammonia water

Examples of ammonia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Anhydrous ammonia, which helps convert nitrogen into a form usable for plants, is assessed at more than $1,300 a ton, up 18% in the past month and an all-time high, DTN said. — Patrick Thomas, WSJ, 15 Dec. 2021 Nine employees of a food production company in Lake Villa were transported to area hospitals after an ammonia gas leak at the company’s facility, authorities said Friday afternoon. — Clifford Ward, chicagotribune.com, 2 July 2021 Costs to produce a ton of ammonia had gone from $110 last summer to about $1,000 this one, Svein Tore Holsether said. — Katherine Dunn, Fortune, 30 Nov. 2021 Sudsy ammonia is best for tile floors/counters/showers with grout. — Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2021 In Louisiana in 2013, a hospital was incorrectly handling blood being screened for ammonia and lactate. — Ellen Gabler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2021 Scientists expect to find silicates, carbon, water, methane, ammonia and methanol within the asteroids. — Bruce Selcraig, San Antonio Express-News, 14 Oct. 2021 An ammonia leak caused the evacuation of a pizza factory in Wheeling Saturday and three people were treated for minor health concerns, fire officials said. — Zach Harris, chicagotribune.com, 1 Aug. 2021 Low or zero-carbon fuels, such as natural gas, ammonia and hydrogen, are predicted to be the dominant energy sources for shipping in the future. — Jing Sun, The Conversation, 11 June 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ammonia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for ammonia

borrowed from New Latin, derivative based on Latin sal ammōniacus "rock salt," literally, "salt of Ammon," from ammōniacus "of Ammon," borrowed from Greek ammōniakós, derivative of Ámmōn, an Egyptian deity identified by the Greeks with Zeus, borrowed from Egyptian ỉmn; from its having been extracted near an oracle of Ammon near the Siwa oasis in Egypt

Note: The identification of sal ammoniac, not well described by ancient authors, as ammonium chloride was apparently part of medieval alchemical tradition.

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Last Updated

17 Jan 2022

Cite this Entry

“Ammonia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ammonia. Accessed 28 Jan. 2022.

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More Definitions for ammonia

ammonia

noun

English Language Learners Definition of ammonia

: a colorless gas or liquid that has a strong smell and taste and that is used especially in cleaning products

See the full definition for ammonia in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ammonia

noun

am·mo·nia | \ ə-ˈmō-nyə

Kids Definition of ammonia

1 : a colorless gas that is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, has a sharp smell and taste, can be easily made liquid by cold and pressure, and is used in cleaning products and in making fertilizers and explosives

2 : a solution of ammonia and water

ammonia

noun

am·mo·nia | \ ə-ˈmō-nyə

Medical Definition of ammonia

1 : a pungent colorless gaseous alkaline compound of nitrogen and hydrogen NH₃ that is very soluble in water and can easily be condensed to a liquid by cold and pressure

2 : ammonia water