nitrogen

noun

ni·​tro·​gen ˈnī-trə-jən 

: a nonmetallic chemical element with atomic number 7 that under standard conditions is a colorless, odorless, inert gas, that constitutes 78 percent of the Earth's atmosphere, and that is used especially in the industrial synthesis of ammonia, as a component of inert atmospheres, and in liquid form as a refrigerant

—often used before another noun

the nitrogen cycle

nitrogen fertilizer

see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of nitrogen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their teamwork was on display when Amanda hopped in to suggest using liquid nitrogen to help set Dan’s soft mousse, which worked like a dream. —Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024

United Launch Alliance The launch came 12 days late, primarily because of work to replace a pump in a system that supplies nitrogen gas to multiple launch pads from a pipeline running through the Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. —William Harwood, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2024

Currently, the state has scheduled an execution for Jamie Mills for May 30 and is seeking to execute a second inmate, Alan Miller, via nitrogen gas later this year. —Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024

Proponents of nitrogen hypoxia have insisted that the method is a more humane alternative to the long-preferred method of lethal injection. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024

Alabama has since adopted use of nitrogen gas as an execution method and in January executed one of the two death row prisoners whose lethal injection had to be called off in 2022 because a vein couldn’t be located. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2024

Meanwhile, 96% are home to sensitive species and natural habitats that are hurt by ozone pollution and sulfur nitrogen deposition. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024

High levels of nitrogen can trigger algal blooms and kill fish, the report notes. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024

These two types of fungi induce plants to cycle water, nitrogen and other elements in very different ways. —Maddie Bender, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French nitrogène, from nitre niter + -gène -gen

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing nitrogen

• nitrogen balance
• nitrogen cycle
• nitrogen dioxide
• nitrogen fixation
• nitrogen-fixer
• nitrogen-fixing
• nitrogen mustard
• nitrogen narcosis
• nitrogen oxide
• nitrogen tetroxide

Kids Definition

nitrogen

noun

ni·​tro·​gen ˈnī-trə-jən 

: a colorless tasteless odorless element that occurs as a gas which makes up 78 percent of the atmosphere and that forms a part of all living tissues see element

nitrogenous

nī-ˈträj-ə-nəs 

adjective

Medical Definition

nitrogen

noun

ni·​tro·​gen ˈnī-trə-jən 

: 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