nitrate

noun

ni·​trate ˈnī-ˌtrāt How to pronounce nitrate (audio)
-trət
plural nitrates
1
: a salt or ester of nitric acid
2
: sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate used as a fertilizer
3
: any of several nitric-acid esters of cellulose : nitrocellulose
especially : a product (such as celluloid film) made from cellulose nitrate
In the case of the Clark Gable Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), the nitrate original was destroyed before anyone noticed the transferred soundtrack was out of sync. Roy Hemming

Examples of nitrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Their methods showed that some of air pollution’s most common chemical agents—ozone and nitrate radicals—significantly deteriorate the wildflower’s scent, deterring the moths from landing on polluted plants. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 Ultimately, the researchers found that in many parts of the globe, ozone and nitrate radical pollution may be stymying pollinators’ ability to detect their host plants. Popular Science, 8 Feb. 2024 Uncured Ham Uncured ham is, confusingly, also cured, just without the addition of synthetic nitrites and nitrates. Patricia S York, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2024 The state health department recommends testing private wells every year for bacteria and nitrate, and once every five years for contaminants like lead and arsenic. Journal Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2024 The community has a treatment system that reduces nitrate levels in the drinking water. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024 In northern Belgium such issues have coalesced around nitrate pollution from farming and rules to contain it. Raf Casert, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2024 Beyond investigating their size, scientists are also digging into the chemistry of airborne particles, which, unlike other regulated pollutants such as lead and ozone, encompass a wide array of solid and liquid particles from soot to nitrate. Virginia Gewin, Scientific American, 8 Feb. 2024 But Tragedies of the Osage Hills became one of the thousands of silent features shot on nitrate stock that did not survive. Angela Aleiss, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nitrate.' 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

French, from nitrique

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nitrate was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near nitrate

Cite this Entry

“Nitrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nitrate

noun
ni·​trate ˈnī-ˌtrāt How to pronounce nitrate (audio)
-trət
1
: a chemical compound formed by the reaction of nitric acid with another substance
2
: nitrate of sodium or potassium used as a fertilizer

Medical Definition

nitrate

noun
: a salt or ester of nitric acid

More from Merriam-Webster on nitrate

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