nitrate

noun

ni·​trate ˈnī-ˌtrāt 

-trət

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

Examples of nitrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The fish release ammonia through waste, which is filtered to remove solids, and what’s left is nitrates that are pumped into the pond, where the plants absorb them and grow. — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2026

Key Takeaways Beets contain nitrates and potassium, which help manage blood pressure, while potatoes are also a good source of potassium. — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2026

Jones regularly points out the calamitous environmental consequences of farming practices that produce some of the highest concentrations of nitrates in the country, primarily owing to agricultural runoff, and argues for a stronger government hand. — Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

These humble root vegetables are rich in nitrates, which may help support healthy blood pressure. — Merve Ceylan, HEALTH, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from nitrique

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nitrate

• ammonium nitrate
• amyl nitrate
• cellulose nitrate
• nitrate of soda
• peroxyacetyl nitrate
• potassium nitrate
• silver nitrate
• sodium nitrate

Rhymes for nitrate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids 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