nitrogen oxide

noun

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

Examples of nitrogen oxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Advertisement Advertisement One of the biggest environmental dangers of fireworks displays is the dispersal of fine particles of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and more, measuring just 2.5 microns—or 2.5 millionths of a meter. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 4 July 2025 According to Industrious Labs, Burns Harbor ranks as one of Indiana’s top three biggest polluters among industrial sources for nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide and lead. Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025 The pollution also creates ground-level ozone when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds — emissions from vehicles — bake in the heat and form a brown smog over the Front Range. Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 13 June 2025 Oil and gas pollution includes volatile organic carcinogens such as benzene, asthma-triggering compounds including ozone and nitrogen oxides and lung-burrowing particles like PM 2.5. Saul Elbein, The Hill, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for nitrogen oxide

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nitrogen oxide was in 1868

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Cite this Entry

“Nitrogen oxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrogen%20oxide. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

nitrogen oxide

noun
: any of various oxides of nitrogen: as

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