definitions

nitrogen-fixing

[ nahy-truh-juh n-fik-sing ]
/ ˈnaɪ trə dʒənˌfɪk sɪŋ /

adjective

involved in or aiding the process of nitrogen fixation.

RELATED CONTENT

Suffering From Anhedonia? This Word Of The Day Quiz Can Fix ThatRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
How To Cut Down Run-On SentencesA run-on sentence is a sentence where two or more independent clauses have been incorrectly joined together. An independent clause contains both a subject and a verb and can stand on its own as a complete sentence. Some examples of independent clauses include “Jane ate dinner,” “John went to the store,” and “Sue made a pie.” Comma Splices A comma splice is a grammatical error …
READ MORE

Nearby words

nitrogen mustard, nitrogen narcosis, nitrogen partition, nitrogen peroxide, nitrogen tetroxide, nitrogen-fixing, nitrogenase, nitrogenize, nitrogenous, nitrogenous wastes, nitroglycerin

Origin of nitrogen-fixing

First recorded in 1895–1900
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Culture definitions for nitrogen fixing

nitrogen fixing

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (which plants cannot absorb) into forms of nitrogen that plants can absorb. Bacteria in the topsoil carry out the conversion.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.