ammonium
noun
am·mo·ni·um
ə-ˈmō-nē-əm 
: an ion NH4+ derived from ammonia by combination with a hydrogen ion and known in compounds (such as salts) that resemble in properties the compounds of the alkali metals
Examples of ammonium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In agricultural pollution, a key precursor of PM2.5, ammonium, may be more damaging to the brain, the researchers found.
—
Abdullahi Tsanni, STAT, 14 Aug. 2023
In addition to temperature and pH, the bandage's biosensor monitors levels of ammonium, glucose, lactate and uric acid; together these measurements provide information about inflammation, infection and stage of healing.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 28 June 2023
This quaternary ammonium salt acts as a formaldehyde releaser.
—Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 8 Aug. 2023
Univar also stored chemicals next to each other that shouldn’t have been next to each other, like sulfuric acid next to potassium hydroxide and ammonium hydroxide and nitric acid next to potassium permanganate, ammonium persulfate, and hydrogen peroxide, according to the EPA’s allegations.
—Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Jan. 2023
For the next five days explosive ordnance disposal technicians from the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force 56 and crew from the USS Hurricane searched the boat and identified the substances as urea fertilizer and ammonium perchlorate, which can both be used in explosives.
—Courtney Kube, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2022
To help get rid of flakes, look for a lotion with ammonium lactate or alpha-hydroxy acid.
—Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 20 June 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.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 22 Dec. 2010
Mazepin asked the president to help to re-start ammonium fertilizer shipments via Ukraine’s Odesa port as part of a grain shipment deal that was extended last week.
—Bloomberg.com, 22 Nov. 2022
See More
Abdullahi Tsanni, STAT, 14 Aug. 2023
In addition to temperature and pH, the bandage's biosensor monitors levels of ammonium, glucose, lactate and uric acid; together these measurements provide information about inflammation, infection and stage of healing.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 28 June 2023
This quaternary ammonium salt acts as a formaldehyde releaser.
—Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 8 Aug. 2023
Univar also stored chemicals next to each other that shouldn’t have been next to each other, like sulfuric acid next to potassium hydroxide and ammonium hydroxide and nitric acid next to potassium permanganate, ammonium persulfate, and hydrogen peroxide, according to the EPA’s allegations.
—Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Jan. 2023
For the next five days explosive ordnance disposal technicians from the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force 56 and crew from the USS Hurricane searched the boat and identified the substances as urea fertilizer and ammonium perchlorate, which can both be used in explosives.
—Courtney Kube, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2022
To help get rid of flakes, look for a lotion with ammonium lactate or alpha-hydroxy acid.
—Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 20 June 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.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 22 Dec. 2010
Mazepin asked the president to help to re-start ammonium fertilizer shipments via Ukraine’s Odesa port as part of a grain shipment deal that was extended last week.
—Bloomberg.com, 22 Nov. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ammonium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from ammonia
First Known Use
1808, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing ammonium
Dictionary Entries Near ammonium
Cite this Entry
“Ammonium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ammonium. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
ammonium
noun
am·mo·ni·um
ə-ˈmō-nē-əm
: an ion that comes from the combination of ammonia with a hydrogen ion
Medical Definition
ammonium
noun
am·mo·ni·um
ə-ˈmō-nē-əm
: an ion NH4+ derived from ammonia by combination with a hydrogen ion and known in organic compounds (as quaternary ammonium compounds) and in compounds (as salts) that resemble in properties the compounds of the alkali metals
More from Merriam-Webster on ammonium
Britannica English: Translation of ammonium for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share