nitrous

American

[nahy-truhs] / ˈnaɪ trəs /

adjective

Chemistry.

pertaining to compounds obtained from niter, usually containing less oxygen than the corresponding nitric compounds.
containing nitrogen, usually in the trivalent state.

nitrous British

/ ˈnaɪtrəs /

adjective

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

nitrous Scientific

/ nī′trəs /

Containing nitrogen, especially nitrogen with a valence of 3.
Compare nitric

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

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

“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

Additional surplus nitrogen in soil can produce nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas.

From Science Daily • Nov. 24, 2025

Meanwhile, fertiliser use emits nitrous oxide -- the third-most-potent greenhouse gas after methane and carbon dioxide.

From Barron's • Nov. 11, 2025

Ye has since sued his dentist for "recklessly" supplying Ye with "dangerous amounts of nitrous oxide".

From BBC • May 27, 2025

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

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023