ammonium nitrate

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, NH 4 NO 3 , usually produced by reacting nitric acid with vaporous ammonia: used chiefly in explosives, fertilizers, freezing mixtures, and in the manufacture of nitrous oxide.

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ammonium nitrate British  

noun

1. a colourless highly soluble crystalline solid used mainly as a fertilizer and in explosives and pyrotechnics. Formula: NH 4 NO 3

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ammonium nitrate Scientific  

1. A colorless crystalline salt used in fertilizers, explosives, and solid rocket propellants. Chemical formula: NH ₄ NO ₃ .

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Etymology

Origin of ammonium nitrate

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Davis said six packages of ammonium nitrate were shipped from Park in Seattle to Bartkus.

From Los Angeles Times

That list includes ammonium nitrate, commonly available as a popular fertilizer at farm and garden stores.

From Los Angeles Times

The remaining ammonium nitrate was then transferred to another ship - called the Zimrida - which reached Ivory Coast eight days ago.

From BBC

The MV Ruby's cargo of 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate will be moved to another vessel at Great Yarmouth in Norfolk.

From BBC

The ship, owned by Maltese firm Ruby Enterprise, set off from the northern Russian port of Kandalaksha in July - with 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate on board.

From BBC