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

"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

The results in Nature Communications find that symbiotic, nitrogen-fixing bacteria can ensure dominance among soil microbes due to its signalling-based communication with the legume plant host.

From Science Daily • May 23, 2024

It kills off the nitrogen-fixing bacteria that make the soil fertile.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan