plural nitrates
1
: a salt or ester of nitric acid
2
: sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate used as a fertilizer
3
: any of several nitric-acid esters of cellulose : nitrocellulose
especially
: a product (such as celluloid film) made from cellulose nitrate
In the case of the Clark Gable Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), the nitrate original was destroyed before anyone noticed the transferred soundtrack was out of sync. —
Roy Hemming
Roy Hemming Examples of nitrate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The suggested antidotes for bichloride of mercury included drinking an egg white; for nitrate of silver, sipping saltwater.
—Anika Burgess
july 17, Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
On our country’s birthday, Jaws reminded America that true greatness isn’t measured in trophies; it’s measured in nitrates.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2025
These are made by blending different cuts of pork, beef, and/or chicken with preservatives, salt, and flavorings; and they're preserved through curing, smoking or adding chemicals like nitrates and nitrites.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Health, 3 July 2025
While the most dramatic spikes in phosphorous, nitrate, organic carbon and sediment generally occurred in the first one to three years, some contaminants lingered for much longer.
—Ben Livneh, The Conversation, 23 June 2025
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Anika Burgess
july 17, Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
On our country’s birthday, Jaws reminded America that true greatness isn’t measured in trophies; it’s measured in nitrates.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2025
These are made by blending different cuts of pork, beef, and/or chicken with preservatives, salt, and flavorings; and they're preserved through curing, smoking or adding chemicals like nitrates and nitrites.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Health, 3 July 2025
While the most dramatic spikes in phosphorous, nitrate, organic carbon and sediment generally occurred in the first one to three years, some contaminants lingered for much longer.
—Ben Livneh, The Conversation, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nitrate
Cite this Entry
“Nitrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrate. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nitrate
noun
ni·trate
ˈnī-ˌtrāt 
-trət
1
: a chemical compound formed by the reaction of nitric acid with another substance
2
: nitrate of sodium or potassium used as a fertilizer
Medical Definition
nitrate
noun
ni·trate
ˈnī-ˌtrāt, -trət
: a salt or ester of nitric acid
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