nitrifier

[ nahy-truh-fahy-er ]

noun

, Chemistry, Biology.

1. any of the bacteria or other microbes, as those found in soil, that convert ammonia or ammonium compounds to nitrites and then to nitrates. Compare denitrifier ( def ).nitrification ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of nitrifier¹

First recorded in 1900–05; nitrify + -er ¹