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• nitrogen-fixing
  nitrogen-fixing

  adjective

  involved in or aiding the process of nitrogen fixation.
• 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.

nitrogen-fixing

American  

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

adjective

1. involved in or aiding the process of nitrogen fixation.

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nitrogen fixing Cultural  

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of nitrogen-fixing

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Scientists worldwide are working to understand the genetic and molecular basis of this natural nitrogen-fixing ability.

From Science Daily • Dec. 9, 2025

"For years, we have been finding gene fragments encoding the nitrogen-fixing nitrogenase enzyme, which appeared to belong to one particular non-cyanobacterial nitrogen fixer," says Marcel Kuypers, lead author on the study.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2024

What originally interested lead author Michael Kipp is that the tissues of nitrogen-fixing plants can provide a record of the composition of the atmosphere they grew up in.

From Science Daily • Nov. 16, 2023

For this study, the researchers created 12 different MPNs and used them to encapsulate Pseudomonas chlororaphis, a nitrogen-fixing bacterium that also protects plants against harmful fungi and other pests.

From Science Daily • Nov. 15, 2023

I answer every question correctly and Maestra Eva looks impressed at how the words chlorophyll and respiration and nitrogen-fixing cycle roll off my tongue.

From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau