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• nitro
  nitro

  adjective

  containing the nitro group.
• nitro-
  nitro-

  a combining form used in the names of chemical compounds in which the nitro group is present.

nitro

¹ American  

[nahy-troh] / ˈnaɪ troʊ /

adjective

1. Chemistry. containing the nitro group.

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noun

1. nitroglycerin.

nitro- ² American  

1. a combining form used in the names of chemical compounds in which the nitro group is present.

   nitroglycerin.

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nitro- ¹ British  

combining form

1. indicating that a chemical compound contains a nitro group, -NO 2

   nitrobenzene

2. indicating that a chemical compound is a nitrate ester

   nitrocellulose

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nitro ² British  

/ ˈnaɪtrəʊ /

noun

1. slang short for nitroglycerine

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Etymology

Origin of nitro¹

First recorded in 1855–60; see origin at nitro-

Origin of nitro-²

Combining form of Greek nítron. See niter

Example Sentences

“This is pure geopolitical nitro, leaving bulls high-fiving over the chokepoint drama,” he noted.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 27, 2026

Instead, the nitro boost they needed came from those already on the pitch - and some Kiwi indiscipline.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2025

Now he’s trying to pay forward that help and support by renting Pritchett, a top-alcohol racer and longtime nitro crew member, the seat of his dragster for his top fuel debut.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2024

But 14-0 is a phenomenal achievement … even if Huskies fans need nitro pills to function at this point.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 2, 2024

They had transmuted carbon into radioactive nitro gen.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik