nitrogen cycle

noun

: a continuous series of natural processes by which nitrogen passes successively from air to soil to organisms and back to air or soil involving principally nitrogen fixation, nitrification, decay, and denitrification

Examples of nitrogen cycle in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Together, the two stages form an important step (called nitrification) in the nitrogen cycle that operates on Earth. — Jacek Krywko, Ars Technica, 13 Sep. 2023 The water cycle, nitrogen cycle, the oxygen cycle, the carbon cycle—dust is feeding into all of these. — Matt Simon, WIRED, 27 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nitrogen cycle was in 1906

Rhymes for nitrogen cycle

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Browse Nearby Words

nitrogen chloride
nitrogen cycle
nitrogen dioxide
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Cite this Entry

“Nitrogen cycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrogen%20cycle. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

nitrogen cycle

noun
: a continuous series of natural processes by which nitrogen passes from air to soil to living things and back to the air by means of nitrogen fixation, nitrification, decay, and denitrification

Medical Definition

nitrogen cycle

noun
: a continuous series of natural processes by which nitrogen passes through successive stations in air, soil, and organisms and which principally involves nitrogen fixation, nitrification, decay, and denitrification

More from Merriam-Webster on nitrogen cycle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nitrogen cycle

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