nitrite
Americannoun
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A salt or ester of nitrous acid, containing the group NO 2. Nitrites are an important component of the nitrogen cycle and are used as food preservatives.
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Compare nitrate
Etymology
Origin of nitrite
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.
Nitrate naturally accumulates in vegetables from the soil, but it does not benefit the body until bacteria in the mouth convert it into nitrite.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026
In a large study that followed more than 54,000 Danish adults for up to 27 years, researchers examined how nitrate and nitrite intake from different sources related to the development of dementia, including early-onset dementia.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 8, 2026
The analysis focused on 17 individual preservatives, including citric acid, lecithins, total sulfites, ascorbic acid, sodium nitrite, potassium sorbate, sodium erythorbate, sodium ascorbate, potassium metabisulfite, and potassium nitrate.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 27, 2026
Sodium nitrite was associated with a 32% higher risk of prostate cancer.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 27, 2026
And it must also be remembered that the introduction of these azo-colours has necessitated the manufacture on a large scale of sodium nitrite as a source of nitrous acid.
From Coal and What We Get from It by Raphael Meldola
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