potassium nitrate

noun

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Definition of potassium nitrate

: a crystalline salt KNO₃ that occurs as a product of nitrification in arable soils, is a strong oxidizer, and is used especially in making gunpowder, as a fertilizer, and in medicine

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Recent Examples of potassium nitrate from the Web

Historically, the best natural source of saltpeter, the common name for potassium nitrate, has been from caves caked with bat droppings.

— kevin davenport, idahostatesman, "O say can you see? The science behind the booms and blooms of Independence Day fireworks," 3 July 2018
The black powder used as propellant in 19th-century guns produced thick plumes of lead, carbon, sulfur, and potassium nitrate when combusted.

— aaron mak, Slate Magazine, "Has a literal smoking gun ever been the “smoking gun” in a criminal case?," 17 July 2017

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

First Known Use of potassium nitrate

1866

in the meaning defined above

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