nitrogen fixation

noun

Definition of nitrogen fixation

: the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a combined form (such as ammonia) through chemical and especially biological action (such as that of soil rhizobia)

Examples of nitrogen fixation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This process is called nitrogen fixation, and it’s like a lab experiment happening midair. — Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Aug. 2021 Moreover, nitrogen needs could be satisfied by biological nitrogen fixation, which is conducted by soil bacteria that need no fossil fuels to make nitrogen fertilizer. — Jo Handelsman, Scientific American, 14 Mar. 2021 One highly beneficial strain of bacteria, azotobacter, can aid in nitrogen fixation — pulling nitrogen from the air and converting it to ammonia and other beneficial compounds for the soil. — Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 10 May 2021 These plants collaborate with soil bacteria to absorb nitrogen from the air and deposit it in tiny root nodules—a process called nitrogen fixation. — Beth Hanson, Good Housekeeping, 24 Aug. 2015 Johan Kers, Joyn Bio’s head of nitrogen fixation, said in a statement. — Mark Glover, sacbee, 20 Mar. 2018 In chemistry applications, a few hundred qubits can be used for, say, helping develop catalysts for nitrogen fixation. — Peter Bright, Ars Technica, 25 Sep. 2017 See More

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

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“Nitrogen fixation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrogen%20fixation. Accessed 29 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for nitrogen fixation

nitrogen fixation

noun

nitrogen fix·a·tion | \ -fik-ˈsā-shən \

Kids Definition of nitrogen fixation

: the changing of nitrogen into an available and useful form especially by bacteria ( nitrogen-fixing bacteria )

nitrogen fixation

noun

Medical Definition of nitrogen fixation

1 : the industrial conversion of free nitrogen into combined forms useful especially as starting materials for fertilizers or explosives

2 : the metabolic assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen by soil microorganisms and especially rhizobia and its release for plant use by nitrification in the soil on the death of the microorganisms