potassium nitrate

noun

: 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

Examples of potassium nitrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sold under brand names such as Stump Stop, Stump Out, and Stump Killer, these chemical stump removers typically use concentrated salts, potassium nitrate, alkalis, and sulfiting agents to break down wood and speed up natural decay. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026

These included sulfites, potassium sorbate, potassium nitrate, acetates, acetic acid, and sodium erythorbate. —Jamie Ducharme, Health, 9 Jan. 2026

Though some of these preservatives were not associated with cancer incidence, others were, including potassium sorbate, potassium metabisulfite, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrate and acetic acid. —Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026

Throughout early December, the defendants procured bomb-making materials to build and test explosive devices in the Mojave Desert, including by obtaining materials such as potassium nitrate, sulfur, charcoal and pipes, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. —City News Service, Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for potassium nitrate

• borosilicate
• decontaminate
• deoxycholate
• deteriorate
• differentiate
• diisocyanate
• dinoflagellate
• excommunicate
• incapacitate
• insubordinate
• intercorporate
• interpenetrate

Kids Definition

potassium nitrate

noun

: a salt used in making gunpowder, as a fertilizer, and in medicine

Medical Definition

potassium nitrate

noun

: a crystalline salt KNO₃ that is a strong oxidizing agent and is used in medicine chiefly as a diuretic

called also niter, saltpeter