sodium nitrite

noun

: a salt NaNO2 used especially in dye manufacture and as a meat preservative

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Only the hogs ate the sodium nitrite and died. Stephen Ornes, The Atlantic, 15 May 2021 The poison, sodium nitrite, is a preservative in bacon but keeps the blood of live pigs from carrying oxygen. Janet Mcconnaughey, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2022 On Monday, her death was ruled a suicide caused by sodium nitrite toxicity, according to a report obtained by PEOPLE. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 Aug. 2022 According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, Pearlman died by suicide from sodium nitrite toxicity. Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Aug. 2022 On Monday, the coroner officially ruled her death as a suicide caused by sodium nitrite toxicity, according to a report obtained by PEOPLE. Shafiq Najib, Peoplemag, 15 Aug. 2022 These foods also contain high levels of sodium nitrite, a compound that may convert into nitrosamines and increase the risk of gastric cancer. Barbara Brody, Fortune, 16 July 2022 Spam is molded meat comprised of pork shoulder and ham, with salt, water, potato starch, sugar and sodium nitrite. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2022 At the end of his message, Lin pointed to a 2013 valsartan patent from another Chinese company that discusses using an alternative to sodium nitrite in quenching. Anna Edney, Fortune, 7 May 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sodium nitrite.' 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

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sodium nitrite was in 1869

Dictionary Entries Near sodium nitrite

Cite this Entry

“Sodium nitrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sodium%20nitrite. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

sodium nitrite

noun
: a salt used especially in the manufacture of dyes and as a meat preservative

Medical Definition

sodium nitrite

noun
: a colorless or yellowish deliquescent salt NaNO2 that is used as a meat preservative and in medicine as a vasodilator and an antidote for cyanide poisoning

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