nitrogen
noun
ni·tro·gen
ˈnī-trə-jən 
: a nonmetallic chemical element with atomic number 7 that under standard conditions is a colorless, odorless, inert gas, that constitutes 78 percent of the Earth's atmosphere, and that is used especially in the industrial synthesis of ammonia, as a component of inert atmospheres, and in liquid form as a refrigerant
—often used before another noun
the nitrogen cycle
nitrogen fertilizer
see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of nitrogen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Frazier and his attorneys unsuccessfully argued that the use of nitrogen gas violated Frazier's Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment.
—
James Powel, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2025
The pollutants travel down a duct into the floating processing unit, which converts them into clean nitrogen and water.
—Katie Fehrenbacher, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
The country's first execution using nitrogen gas was carried out last year in Alabama, which has now executed four people using the method.
—CBS News, 24 Feb. 2025
Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, was strapped to a gurney and pronounced dead 15 minutes after breathing in nitrogen gas through a mask, depriving him of oxygen, said prison officials at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nitrogen
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James Powel, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2025
The pollutants travel down a duct into the floating processing unit, which converts them into clean nitrogen and water.
—Katie Fehrenbacher, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
The country's first execution using nitrogen gas was carried out last year in Alabama, which has now executed four people using the method.
—CBS News, 24 Feb. 2025
Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, was strapped to a gurney and pronounced dead 15 minutes after breathing in nitrogen gas through a mask, depriving him of oxygen, said prison officials at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nitrogen
Cite this Entry
“Nitrogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrogen. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nitrogen
noun
ni·tro·gen
ˈnī-trə-jən
: a colorless tasteless odorless element that occurs as a gas which makes up 78 percent of the atmosphere and that forms a part of all living tissues see element
Medical Definition
nitrogen
noun
ni·tro·gen
ˈnī-trə-jən
: a common nonmetallic element that in the free form is normally a colorless odorless tasteless insoluble inert diatomic gas comprising 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume and that in the combined form is a constituent of biologically important compounds (as proteins, nucleic acids, and alkaloids) and hence of all living cells as well as of industrially important substances (as cyanides, fertilizers, dyes, and antibiotics)
—symbol N
see Chemical Elements Table
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