sodium nitrate
noun
: a deliquescent crystalline salt NaNO3 used as a fertilizer and an oxidizing agent and in curing meat
Examples of sodium nitrate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Because of the potential risks, the FDA limits how much can be added to foods: no more than 200 parts per million (ppm) of sodium nitrite and 500 ppm of sodium nitrate in ready-to-eat products.7
Still, the science is not entirely clear.
—
Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2025
Drano is a popular drain cleaner containing lye, aluminum, salt, bleach, and sodium nitrate to create a chemical reaction that will quickly and effectively break down organic material, like hair and grease.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2025
The powder, sodium nitrate, can be used as a food preservative — or as a rocket propellant — according to the National Library of Medicine.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 23 Sep. 2024
Some vegetables, such as beets, carrots, and celery, may also offer a healthier source of sodium nitrate.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 27 July 2024
Pink curing salt is regular table salt with sodium nitrate and is used to preserve meats.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
This region of the world has been exploited for its natural resources for centuries – from silver and gold in the early days of the Spanish empire, sodium nitrate (used for explosives) in the 1910s and 1920s, and copper and lithium today.
—Amit Katwala, WIRED, 27 Oct. 2019
The driest desert in the world is home to the largest natural supply of sodium nitrate and has soil similar to that of Mars.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Like the Spanish facility, BrightSource will use a combination of sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate in its system.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 Aug. 2011
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Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2025
Drano is a popular drain cleaner containing lye, aluminum, salt, bleach, and sodium nitrate to create a chemical reaction that will quickly and effectively break down organic material, like hair and grease.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2025
The powder, sodium nitrate, can be used as a food preservative — or as a rocket propellant — according to the National Library of Medicine.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 23 Sep. 2024
Some vegetables, such as beets, carrots, and celery, may also offer a healthier source of sodium nitrate.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 27 July 2024
Pink curing salt is regular table salt with sodium nitrate and is used to preserve meats.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
This region of the world has been exploited for its natural resources for centuries – from silver and gold in the early days of the Spanish empire, sodium nitrate (used for explosives) in the 1910s and 1920s, and copper and lithium today.
—Amit Katwala, WIRED, 27 Oct. 2019
The driest desert in the world is home to the largest natural supply of sodium nitrate and has soil similar to that of Mars.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Like the Spanish facility, BrightSource will use a combination of sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate in its system.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 Aug. 2011
Cite this Entry
“Sodium nitrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sodium%20nitrate. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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