nitrogen cycle

noun

Definition of nitrogen cycle

: a continuous series of natural processes by which nitrogen passes successively from air to soil to organisms and back to air or soil involving principally nitrogen fixation, nitrification, decay, and denitrification

Examples of nitrogen cycle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Among that sediment was cyanobacteria, microorganisms capable of photosynthesis and an important player in the nitrogen cycle. — Scottie Andrew, CNN, "The asteroid that wiped out most life on Earth was a hotbed for bacteria. They were the first organisms to bounce back," 4 Feb. 2020 Doolittle illustrates the idea using the nitrogen cycle. — Quanta Magazine, "Should Evolution Treat Our Microbes as Part of Us?," 20 Nov. 2018

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about nitrogen cycle

Dictionary Entries near nitrogen cycle

Statistics for nitrogen cycle

Cite this Entry

“Nitrogen cycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrogen%20cycle. Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for nitrogen cycle

nitrogen cycle

noun

Kids Definition of nitrogen cycle

: a continuous series of natural processes by which nitrogen passes from air to soil to living things and back into the air

nitrogen cycle

noun

Medical Definition of nitrogen cycle

: a continuous series of natural processes by which nitrogen passes through successive stations in air, soil, and organisms and which principally involves nitrogen fixation, nitrification, decay, and denitrification

Comments on nitrogen cycle

What made you want to look up nitrogen cycle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).