ammonia

noun

am·​mo·​nia ə-ˈmō-nyə How to pronounce ammonia (audio)
1
: a pungent colorless gaseous alkaline compound of nitrogen and hydrogen NH3 that is very soluble in water and can easily be condensed to a liquid by cold and pressure
2

Examples of ammonia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Butch’s symptoms were caused by his failing liver, which was allowing ammonia into his blood system and ultimately destroying his kidneys, is how Ernie describes it. Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 31 Jan. 2024 The spacecraft Cassini determined the composition of these jets in the mid-2000s and found molecules that included carbon dioxide and ammonia, both crucial for life on Earth. Ling Xin, Scientific American, 14 Dec. 2023 Carbon dioxide, ammonia, and ozone, for instance, all have their own unique absorption signature. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Nov. 2023 The rise of green ammonia Green ammonia is made using a process that uses renewable energy to produce nitrogen from the air and hydrogen from water. Starfire Energy, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024 The North Carolina rescue dogs are not available for adoption since the animals are focused on recovering from their neglect, including injuries sustained from prolonged exposure to ammonia, which is found in urine. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 7 Feb. 2024 Another issue is ammonia, a byproduct of metabolizing protein that is excreted in urine. Amy Isler, Rn, Msn, Csn, Verywell Health, 1 Feb. 2024 Hedging its bets, the industry is exploring ammonia, batteries, and hydrogen, among other options for powering ships. IEEE Spectrum, 20 Jan. 2024 Toxic chemical exposure caused 5 deaths after highway crash, coroner says The deaths of five people after an Illinois highway crash were caused by exposure to anhydrous ammonia, a toxic chemical used in fertilizer, a coroner said. Richie Duchon, NBC News, 2 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ammonia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, derivative based on Latin sal ammōniacus "rock salt," literally, "salt of Ammon," from ammōniacus "of Ammon," borrowed from Greek ammōniakós, derivative of Ámmōn, an Egyptian deity identified by the Greeks with Zeus, borrowed from Egyptian ỉmn; from its having been extracted near an oracle of Ammon near the Siwa oasis in Egypt

Note: The identification of sal ammoniac, not well described by ancient authors, as ammonium chloride was apparently part of medieval alchemical tradition.

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ammonia was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near ammonia

Cite this Entry

“Ammonia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ammonia. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ammonia

noun
am·​mo·​nia ə-ˈmō-nyə How to pronounce ammonia (audio)
1
: a colorless gas that is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, has a sharp smell and taste, is easily dissolved in water, can easily be made a liquid by cold and pressure, is used to make ice, fertilizers, and explosives, and is the chief nitrogen-containing waste product of many organisms that live in water
2
: a solution of ammonia in water
ammoniacal
ˌam-ə-ˈnī-ə-kəl
adjective
Etymology

from Latin sal ammoniacus "ammonium chloride," literally "salt of Ammon," named for the Egyptian god Ammon near whose temple the salt was extracted

Medical Definition

ammonia

noun
am·​mo·​nia ə-ˈmō-nyə How to pronounce ammonia (audio)
1
: a pungent colorless gaseous alkaline compound of nitrogen and hydrogen NH3 that is very soluble in water and can easily be condensed to a liquid by cold and pressure
2

More from Merriam-Webster on ammonia

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