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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.


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.


Etymology

Origin of nitrogen-fixing

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The researchers examined 2,800 chemicals naturally made by plants and identified 20 that could encourage nitrogen-fixing bacteria to form biofilms.

From Science Daily Nov. 24, 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

The symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria was shown before to affect the rest of microorganisms living around the plant roots.

From Science Daily May 23, 2024

Most nitrogen-fixing bacteria have mechanisms to regulate dinitrogen use when fixed sources of nitrogen are available, alleviating the high energetic cost of this process.

From Science Daily Apr. 3, 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)

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