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; 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

Taco is asking for money like an NPR host during a fund drive pounding nitro cold brew.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2024

It was the tune, Cher's “Believe,” that injected nitro into my run for the exit.

From Salon • Oct. 20, 2023

They had transmuted carbon into radioactive nitro gen.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik