ammonia

[uh-mohn-yuh, uh-moh-nee-uh]

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.

ammonia

/ -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

ammonia

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 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of ammonia¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ammonia¹

C18: from New Latin, from Latin ( sal ) ammōniacus (sal) _ammoniac ¹

Example Sentences

Neither is ammonia—another alternative fuel that China dominates globally in production.

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Neither is ammonia—another alternative fuel that China dominates globally in production.

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These materials could open new pathways for producing essential chemicals like ammonia, a key ingredient in fertilizer, through cleaner and more sustainable methods.

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In humans, the body eliminates excess nitrogen by flushing it out through urine as urea, uric acid, and ammonia.

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The processing of phosphate rock into fertiliser emits toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide and ammonia.

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