nitrogen

noun, often attributive ni·tro·gen \ ˈnī-trə-jən \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of nitrogen

: a colorless tasteless odorless element that as a diatomic gas is relatively inert and constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere and that is a constituent of organic compounds found in all living tissues — see Chemical Elements Table

—

nitrogenous

play \nī-ˈträ-jə-nəs\ adjective

See nitrogen defined for English-language learners

See nitrogen defined for kids

Recent Examples of nitrogen from the Web

As a result of the cover crops planted last fall, more than 2.9 million pounds of nitrogen, 1.4 million pounds of phosphorus and 1.2 million tons of sediment were prevented from entering Indiana’s waterways, the NRCS said.

— karen caffarini, Post-Tribune, "Farmers reap benefits of cover crops with better soil," 9 May 2018
Overall, such buffers have the potential to reduce 90 percent of nitrogen in runoff and 80 percent of phosphorus.

— frank kummer, Philly.com, "Pennsylvania is planting 10 million trees to curb pollution in waterways," 24 Apr. 2018
In addition to oxygen molecules, alien astronomers would look at our atmosphere's levels of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane.

— National Geographic, "Aliens Could Detect Life on Earth. Here's How.," 26 Mar. 2018
Fermilab scientists will explore the chilling effects of liquid nitrogen on everyday items and demonstrate its uses in electricity and magnetism.

— Aurora Beacon-News, "New show, activities planned at Fermilab open house," 5 Feb. 2018
Lincoln County Sheriff Rene Rodriguez said Friday that Young’s death has been ruled a suicide and the cause is asphyxiation by nitrogen gas released into the home from a tank.

— Washington Post, "Idaho town told not to drink water amid contamination scare," 27 May 2018
The former water manager, identified Friday by the Twin Falls Times-News as Tom Young, 62, was found dead at his home with a canister of unknown gas, later identified as nitrogen gas.

— katy moeller, idahostatesman, "Mayor feared water poisoning after death of fired worker but first test finds none | Idaho Statesman," 25 May 2018
Apply some nitrogen fertilizer to compensate for this.

— ellen nibali, baltimoresun.com, "Garden Q&A: How to control a leafminer attack," 24 May 2018
High on the list for some is a method that has never been used before: inhaling nitrogen gas.

— new york times, BostonGlobe.com, "States turn to an unproven method of execution: nitrogen gas," 8 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nitrogen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of nitrogen

French nitrogène, from nitre niter + -gène -gen

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1791

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NITROGEN Defined for English Language Learners

nitrogen

noun

Definition of nitrogen for English Language Learners

: a chemical that has no color or smell and that makes up a large part of the atmosphere

NITROGEN Defined for Kids

nitrogen

noun ni·tro·gen \ ˈnī-trə-jən \

Definition of nitrogen for Students

: a colorless odorless gaseous chemical element that makes up 78 percent of the atmosphere and forms a part of all living tissues

Medical Dictionary

nitrogen

noun ni·tro·gen \ ˈnī-trə-jən \

medical Definition of nitrogen

: a common nonmetallic element that in the free form is normally a colorless odorless tasteless insoluble inert diatomic gas comprising 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume and that in the combined form is a constituent of biologically important compounds (as proteins, nucleic acids, and alkaloids) and hence of all living cells as well as of industrially important substances (as cyanides, fertilizers, dyes, and antibiotics) —symbol N — see Chemical Elements Table