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

To preserve its own supplies, Russia has suspended exports of ammonium nitrate, another nitrogen source for fertilizer.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2025

Greenpeace said a spill of ammonium nitrate could have "significant impacts on marine ecosystems".

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2024

Chemicals found in PM2.5 in the U.S. include sulfate, ammonium, nitrate, organic carbon, elemental carbon and other trace elements, which come from a variety of human-created and natural sources.

From Science Daily • Feb. 16, 2024

But scientists in the Department of Agriculture had a better idea: Spread the ammonium nitrate on farmland as fertilizer.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan