First recorded in 1895–1900
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Scientists worldwide are working to understand the genetic and molecular basis of this natural nitrogen-fixing ability.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 9, 2025
"We said the location of the nitrogen-fixing bacteria is not important, so long as the fixed nitrogen can reach the plant, and the plant can use it."
From Science Daily ● Nov. 24, 2025
The researchers describe a process in which phosphorus delivered by upwelling deep water and nitrogen supplied by nitrogen-fixing bacteria together fuel the blooms seen over past decades.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 19, 2025
Folk said the single origin idea would suggest that the genetic engineering of crops, such as rice and maize, to work with nitrogen-fixing bacteria is a "lower hurdle" to cross.
From Science Daily ● May 29, 2024
In other experiments BHC, aldrin, lindane, heptachlor, and DDD all prevented nitrogen-fixing bacteria from forming the necessary root nodules on leguminous plants.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
“And they indicate that nitrogen fixing can reduce the amount of nitrogen fertiliser required by 50%. That’s represents a saving for the grower and it’s good for the environment.”
From Forbes ● Jan. 26, 2015
"Are these bacteria different from the nitrogen fixing bacteria?" asked Mr. Thornton.
From The Story of the Soil; from the Basis of Absolute Science and Real Life, by Hopkins, Cyril G. (Cyril George)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
