Definition of nitrate
1 : a salt or ester of nitric acid
2 : sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate used as a fertilizer
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Recent Examples of nitrate from the Web
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The retardant, dropped from above on wildfires to prevent them from spreading, contains ammonium nitrate and has been linked to massive fish deaths in polluted waterways.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nitrate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of nitrate
French, from nitrique
NITRATE Defined for English Language Learners
nitrate
playDefinition of nitrate for English Language Learners
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: a chemical compound that contains oxygen and nitrogen and that is used in fertilizer
NITRATE Defined for Kids
nitrate
playDefinition of nitrate for Students
: a substance that is made from or similar in composition to nitric acid
Medical Dictionary
nitrate
playMedical Definition of nitrate
: a salt or ester of nitric acid
Learn More about nitrate
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See words that rhyme with nitrate Spanish Central: Translation of nitrate Nglish: Translation of nitrate for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nitrate
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