nitrate
noun
a salt or ester of nitric acid, or any compound containing the univalent group –ONO 2 or NO 3 .
nitrates
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pluralof nitrate.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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present tense formof nitrate (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
nitratenouna salt or ester of nitric acid, or any compound containing the univalent group –ONO 2 or NO 3 .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There’s scant evidence that nitrates or pesticides are driving Iowa’s rising cancer rates.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
They contain nitrates, high levels of sodium and saturated fats, and aromatic hydrocarbons that increase the risk of cancer, hypertension, and heart disease.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 21, 2026
A group of Gloucestershire neighbours testing their local river every week for more than a year say they are concerned by "worryingly high" levels of phosphates and nitrates recorded.
From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026
Men who use nitrates to treat cardiac conditions are most at risk when using the products, according to the announcement, which urged customers who purchased the products to stop using them immediately.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2026
When corn, oats, or sorghum containing large amounts of nitrates are ensiled they release poisonous nitrogen oxide gases, creating a deadly hazard to anyone entering the silo.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
