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
Its unusually explosive bloom is attributed to excess nitrogen and phosphorus being discarded into our oceans from industrial activity across the world.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
The more interesting kinds of ices on Pluto are made up of volatiles: methane, nitrogen and carbon monoxide.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
Earlier this year, Kenneth Eugene Smith became the first person in the U.S. to be executed by nitrogen gas, according to reports from CNN, CBS News and NPR.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 27 Sep. 2024
Mississippi was next to authorize executions by nitrogen hypoxia in 2017.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nitrogen 
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Scott Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
The more interesting kinds of ices on Pluto are made up of volatiles: methane, nitrogen and carbon monoxide.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
Earlier this year, Kenneth Eugene Smith became the first person in the U.S. to be executed by nitrogen gas, according to reports from CNN, CBS News and NPR.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 27 Sep. 2024
Mississippi was next to authorize executions by nitrogen hypoxia in 2017.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nitrogen
Dictionary Entries Near nitrogen
Cite this Entry
“Nitrogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrogen. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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