nitric

American  

[nahy-trik] / ˈnaɪ trɪk /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. containing nitrogen, usually in the pentavalent state.

2. of or relating to niter.

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nitric British  

/ ˈnaɪtrɪk /

adjective

1. of or containing nitrogen, esp in the pentavalent state

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nitric Scientific  

/ nī′trĭk /

1. Containing nitrogen, especially nitrogen with a valence of 5.

2. Compare nitrous

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Other Word Forms

• nonnitric adjective

Etymology

Origin of nitric

1785–95; nitr- + -ic, modeled on French nitrique

Example Sentences

Officials have previously responded to spills at the facility, including of nitric acid, within the past few years, Sigman said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

The cells produced much less nitric oxide, which helps blood vessels relax and widen, and more endothelin-1, which causes vessels to tighten.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

When nitric oxide triggers this chain of events, an important protective protein called TSC2 begins to disappear.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2026

The findings highlight the potential importance of developing nitric oxide inhibitors as possible tools for ASD research and treatment.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2026

They found that if they cleaned an infected wound with chemicals such as carbolic acid, bromine, nitric acid, and iodine, they could sometimes heal it.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow