nitric oxide

noun

: a colorless poisonous gas NO formed by oxidation of nitrogen or ammonia that is present in the atmosphere and also in mammals where it is synthesized from arginine and oxygen and acts as a vasodilator and as a mediator of cell-to-cell communication (as between nerve cells) compare nitrous oxide

Examples of nitric oxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lowers Blood Pressure Beets are high in nitrate, which the body can convert into nitric oxide after consumption. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 10 June 2025

The body can turn these compounds into nitric oxide, which basically acts like a chill pill for your heart, helping relax blood vessels and boost circulation. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 6 June 2025

Then the acidity in your stomach helps convert the nitrite to nitric oxide. —Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 19 Apr. 2025

The material itself is derived from Nordic tree cellulose and designed for targeted pollutant capture, including key nitrogen oxides like nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). —Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nitric oxide

• acetamide
• acetonide
• acidified
• antimonide
• beatified
• benzaldehyde
• borohydride
• chalcogenide
• commodified
• decalcified
• declassified
• disaccharide

Medical Definition

nitric oxide

noun

: a poisonous colorless gas NO that occurs as a common air pollutant formed by the oxidation of atmospheric nitrogen and that is also formed by the oxidation of arginine in the mammalian body where it acts as a mediator of intracellular and intercellular communication regulating numerous biological processes (as vasodilation and neurotransmission)