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

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

This process occurs when nitric oxide attaches to proteins and alters how they behave.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2026

A March 2 satellite image of Shiraz, three days into the war, showed a reddish plume near one of the demolished launchers, indicating that nitric acid fuel was leaking from a missile.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

"In the liver, nitric oxide inhibits the proteins that make fat and cholesterol. In fat tissue, nitric oxide inhibits the genetic program that makes the enzymes that create fat," he said.

From Science Daily • Feb. 6, 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