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 element table
Explore Merriam-Webster
Recent Examples of nitrogen from the Web
-
The Museum of Science And Industry: Get free ice cream made with liquid nitrogen at three locations in Chicago. 5.
-
These various solids, plus frozen water (oxygen and hydrogen), frozen ammonia (nitrogen and hydrogen) and frozen methane (carbon and hydrogen), are obvious ingredients for rocky and icy cores around which gas giants might accrete.
-
Cocktails by beverage director Dan Beres and bar manager Ryan DeRosa include the Dippin' Dot Sour, a riff on a bourbon sour converted into frozen ice cream spheres with the help of liquid nitrogen.
-
Lupine fix nitrogen from the air in their roots and leaves, and are helping to nourish the ground, said Josh Chenoweth, restoration botanist for the park.
-
The pollutants: Ozone: It's formed by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight.
-
The pollutants: Ozone: It's formed by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight.
-
Frank's assessment is that Floyds Fork cannot afford any increase in nitrogen or phosphorus, and in fact, large reductions of those pollutants from sewage treatment plants will be needed.
-
Pumps create a vacuum, and a liquid helium and nitrogen cooling system drives the temperature down to --440°F, not far from absolute zero, the thermal floor at which most molecular motion stops.
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
NITROGEN Defined for English Language Learners
nitrogen
playDefinition 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
playDefinition 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
playMedical 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 element table
Learn More about nitrogen
-
Spanish Central: Translation of nitrogen Nglish: Translation of nitrogen for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of nitrogen for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nitrogen
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up nitrogen? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!