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 Biology students may remember learning the water cycle, the carbon cycle or the nitrogen cycle. — Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2021 Among that sediment was cyanobacteria, microorganisms capable of photosynthesis and an important player in the nitrogen cycle. — Scottie Andrew, CNN, 4 Feb. 2020 Doolittle illustrates the idea using the nitrogen cycle. — Quanta Magazine, 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.

Learn More About nitrogen cycle

Dictionary Entries Near nitrogen cycle

nitrogen chloride

nitrogen cycle

nitrogen dioxide

Statistics for nitrogen cycle

Cite this Entry

“Nitrogen cycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrogen%20cycle. Accessed 12 Aug. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

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