nitrous oxide

noun

: a colorless gas N2O that when inhaled produces loss of sensibility to pain preceded by exhilaration and sometimes laughter, that is used especially as an anesthetic in dentistry and as a fuel, and that is an atmospheric pollutant and greenhouse gas produced by combustion

called also laughing gas

compare nitric oxide

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is FDA-approved for use in medical settings to relieve pain. Elissa Welle, Detroit Free Press, 27 Mar. 2022 We’re huddled together at a bar in Austin, Texas, during SXSW, where the gonzo comedian typically holds court, and he’s sucked in about a half-dozen whip-its thus far, laughing maniacally and locking eyes with me each time his big, blue balloon fills with nitrous oxide. Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2023 The first thing to know is that nitric oxide isn’t the same as nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, or the stuff that gets you a little high at the dentist. Erica Sweeney, Men's Health, 25 Jan. 2023 The age limit was enacted nine months ago to curb teens from possibly abusing nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. David K. Li, NBC News, 29 Aug. 2022 The treatment, developed by Pavement Technologies, uses a photocatalytic titanium oxide solution injected into the pavement to capture nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas emitted by cars, and also volatile organic compounds, another type of chemical air pollution. Trevor Fraser, orlandosentinel.com, 14 July 2021 Combustion also yields small amounts of nitrous oxide—a greenhouse gas that's significantly more potent than carbon dioxide and methane. IEEE Spectrum, 23 Feb. 2021 The first was the traditional method, entailing a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, while the second method entailed the use of a VR headset. Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023 With high energy prices and government attempts to decrease nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions from farming, there are pressures on the industry. Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nitrous oxide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nitrous oxide was in 1798

Dictionary Entries Near nitrous oxide

Cite this Entry

“Nitrous oxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrous%20oxide. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

nitrous oxide

noun
: a colorless gas that when inhaled causes loss of the ability to feel pain and sometimes produces laughter and is used especially in dentistry

called also laughing gas

Medical Definition

nitrous oxide

noun
: a colorless gas N2O that when inhaled produces loss of sensibility to pain preceded by exhilaration and sometimes laughter and is used especially as an anesthetic in dentistry

called also laughing gas

More from Merriam-Webster on nitrous oxide

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!