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

Researchers at Aarhus University have now identified small receptor changes in plants that cause them to temporarily shut down their immune defenses and enter a cooperative relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

From Science Daily • Dec. 9, 2025

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

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

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

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