nitrate

American  

[nahy-treyt, -trit, nahy-treyt] / ˈnaɪ treɪt, -trɪt, ˈnaɪ treɪt /

noun

1. Chemistry. a salt or ester of nitric acid, or any compound containing the univalent group –ONO 2 or NO 3 .

2. fertilizer consisting of potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate.

3. nitrocellulose.

4. Informal. nitrate film.

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verb (used with object)

nitrated, nitrating

1. to treat with nitric acid or a nitrate.

2. to convert into a nitrate.

nitrate British  

/ ˈnaɪtreɪt /

noun

1. any salt or ester of nitric acid, such as sodium nitrate, NaNO 3

2. a fertilizer consisting of or containing nitrate salts

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verb

1. (tr) to treat with nitric acid or a nitrate

2. to convert or be converted into a nitrate

3. to undergo or cause to undergo the chemical process in which a nitro group is introduced into a molecule

nitrate Scientific  

/ nī′trāt′ /

1. A salt or ester of nitric acid, containing the group NO ₃. Nitrates dissolve extremely easily in water and are an important component of the nitrogen cycle.

2. Compare nitrite

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Other Word Forms

• nitration noun

Etymology

Origin of nitrate

First recorded in 1785–95; nitr- + -ate ²

Example Sentences

In this process, copper oxide acts as an important catalyst in the electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction, a more environmentally friendly approach compared to the traditional Haber-Bosch method.

From Science Daily

The movie’s recent restoration—courtesy of Photoplay Productions, using materials largely held by the Danish Film Institute—is a revelation thanks to its primary source: amber-toned nitrate prints struck from original camera negatives.

From The Wall Street Journal

The cancelled tests are for so-called inorganic pollutants - substances such as nitrates and phosphates that can indicate sewage or agricultural pollution.

From BBC

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