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

Research has increasingly linked beet consumption with improved blood flow and lower blood pressure, largely because of how efficiently the body converts their nitrates into nitric oxide. —Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 24 May 2026

Beet juice is rich in nitrates, while pomegranate juice may boost nitric oxide production—both of which help relax blood vessels. —Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 18 May 2026

Beets also contain nitrates, which the body converts to nitric oxide and uses to help increase blood flow throughout the body and improve the efficiency of skeletal muscle contraction, Collen says. —Desireé Oostland, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026

Beets contain nitrates, which are compounds that your body converts into nitric oxide. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 20 Apr. 2026

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)