nitrogen oxide

noun

Updated on: 14 May 2018

Definition of nitrogen oxide

: any of several oxides of nitrogen most of which are produced in combustion and are considered to be atmospheric pollutants: such as

a : nitric oxide

b : nitrogen dioxide

c : nitrous oxide

See nitrogen oxide defined for kids

Recent Examples of nitrogen oxide from the Web

Low-level ozone forms when two types of pollutants -- volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, and nitrogen oxides, NOx -- react with sunlight.

— jennifer larino, NOLA.com, "See ozone levels at 6 greater New Orleans-area sites," 10 May 2018
Ground-level ozone, also referred to as smog, is created when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds form a chemical reaction from sunlight.

— frank kummer, Philly.com, "Philly fails to meet smog standards, EPA says," 1 May 2018
Ozone is created when heat and light interact with nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.

— lee bergquist, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "EPA dramatically narrows areas of Wisconsin that will face tougher regulations for smog," 1 May 2018
Smog is created when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds cook in sunlight.

— Washington Post, "America’s air isn’t getting cleaner as fast as it used to," 30 Apr. 2018
More: California has eight of 10 most polluted U.S. cities The two pollutants studied were carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, both of which contribute to ground-level ozone (smog).

— doyle rice, USA TODAY, "The USA's long battle against air pollution isn't over yet, as air quality improvements are slowing down," 30 Apr. 2018
That resulted in nitrogen oxide emissions above legally allowable levels.

— meredith cohn, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland's $33.5 million settlement with Volkswagen in emission scandal could boost port of Baltimore," 25 Apr. 2018
Ground-level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction between sunlight, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, according to the department.

— ryan santistevan, azcentral, "Ozone advisory in effect Monday for Maricopa County," 22 Apr. 2018
Ozone, or smog, is created when heat and light interact with pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, which come from factories, power plants and emissions from cars and trucks.

— lee bergquist, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Parts of Milwaukee region get a failing grade on air pollution from the American Lung Association," 18 Apr. 2018

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