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

See Examples For:

ammonium nitrate

That disaster “brought about new regulations for the chemical manufacturing industry,” the museum said, including requiring cool temperatures and special containers for shipping ammonium nitrate and banning storage near other reactive materials.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2026

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

From Salon ● Apr. 8, 2026

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

From BBC ● Jan. 7, 2025

The death is one of 27 in the U.S. caused by the faulty inflators, which used volatile ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash.

From Seattle Times ● May 29, 2024

Because ammonium nitrate, the main ingredient in many explosives, happens to be an excellent source of nitrogen.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan