nitrous

American  

[nahy-truhs] / ˈnaɪ trəs /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. pertaining to compounds obtained from niter, usually containing less oxygen than the corresponding nitric compounds.

2. containing nitrogen, usually in the trivalent state.

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nitrous British  

/ ˈnaɪtrəs /

adjective

1. of, derived from, or containing nitrogen, esp in a low valency state

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nitrous Scientific  

/ nī′trəs /

1. Containing nitrogen, especially nitrogen with a valence of 3.

2. Compare nitric

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Other Word Forms

• nonnitrous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of nitrous

First recorded in 1595–1605, nitrous is from the Latin word nitrōsus full of natron. See nitroso-

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nitrous

The smaller surviving amount of nitrous oxide could have supported prebiotic chemical reactions.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 2, 2026

Entonox is a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen that is used as pain relief for women giving birth.

From BBC ● May 18, 2026

However the increase in concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases -- carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide -- "to their highest level in at least 800,000 years" has "upset this equilibrium", the WMO said.

From Barron's ● Mar. 23, 2026

“I think it makes a difference whether somebody would get a very effective and safe method of birth control,” Adamson said of the nitrous oxide.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 1, 2026

Some of it turns into nitrous oxide, a gas that increases global warming.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan