ammonia

American  

[uh-mohn-yuh, uh-moh-nee-uh] / əˈmoʊn yə, əˈmoʊ ni ə /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, pungent, suffocating, highly water-soluble, gaseous compound, NH 3 , usually produced by the direct combination of nitrogen and hydrogen gases: used chiefly for refrigeration and in the manufacture of commercial chemicals and laboratory reagents.

2. Also called ammonia water.  Also called aqueous ammonia,.  Also called ammonia solution,.  this gas dissolved in water; ammonium hydroxide.

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ammonia British  

/ -njə, əˈməʊnɪə /

noun

1. a colourless pungent highly soluble gas mainly used in the manufacture of fertilizers, nitric acid, and other nitrogenous compounds, and as a refrigerant and solvent. Formula: NH 3

2. a solution of ammonia in water, containing the compound ammonium hydroxide

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ammonia Scientific  

/ ə-mōn′yə /

1. A colorless alkaline gas that is lighter than air and has a strongly pungent odor. It is used as a fertilizer and refrigerant, in medicine, and in making dyes, textiles, plastics, and explosives. Chemical formula: NH ₃ .

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Etymology

Origin of ammonia

First recorded in 1790–1800; from New Latin, so called as being obtained from sal ammoniac ( def. ); see ammoniac

Compare meaning

How does ammonia compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• ammonia vs. ammonium
• ammonia vs. pneumonia

Explanation

If you've ever used household cleaning products to tidy up your kitchen or bathroom, you've probably encountered ammonia — a pungent gas made of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH₃), known for its strong smell and, when mixed with water, its powerful cleaning abilities. Ammonia is a colorless gas with a sharp, intense odor, widely used in both household and industrial settings. Beyond its role in cleaning products, where it’s prized for cutting through tough grime, ammonia is also a key ingredient in fertilizers, helping plants grow strong and healthy. Despite its benefits, exposure to ammonia can be irritating to the eyes and the respiratory system, so it’s important to handle it with care.

Example Sentences

About half of the global supply of urea—a nitrogen-based fertilizer—and almost a third of the ammonia supply typically flow through the strait, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

And huge tubes for the transport of ammonia and hydrogen from the port of Rotterdam to the south eastern part of the Netherlands are also due to run through Moerdijk.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

On March 2, the ammonia plant at the Ras Laffan refinery in Qatar was attacked.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The Middle East accounts for about 20% of the global ammonia trade and 38% of the global urea trade, two of the most widely used nitrogen fertilizers, according to the consulting firm Wood Mackenzie.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Dicey filled a bucket with water and ammonia and took Sammy upstairs with her to wash windows.

From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt