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

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

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