anhydrous ammonia

noun

: ammonia in its pure form that contains no water

Note: Household ammonia is typically a solution of ammonia dissolved in water, but for industrial and commercial purposes ammonia is often stored and transported in a concentrated state without any added water, called anhydrous ammonia. In this form it can be used as a fertilizer, a refrigerant, or as an antimicrobial agent.

Under a November 1940 contract with the government, DuPont built the facility, initially to produce anhydrous ammonia for use in ordnance.—

Cheryl Hogue, Chemical & Engineering News, 24 May 2004

compare ammonia water, household ammonia

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of anhydrous ammonia was in 1894

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Anhydrous ammonia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anhydrous%20ammonia. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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