nitrous oxide

American  

noun

Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a colorless, sweet-smelling, sweet-tasting, nonflammable, slightly water-soluble gas, N 2 O, that sometimes produces a feeling of exhilaration when inhaled: used chiefly as an anesthetic in dentistry and surgery, in the manufacture of chemicals, and as an aerosol.

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nitrous oxide British  

noun

1. Systematic name: dinitrogen oxide.  Also called: laughing gas.  a colourless nonflammable slightly soluble gas with a sweet smell: used as an anaesthetic in dentistry and surgery. Formula: N 2 O

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nitrous oxide Scientific  

1. A colorless, sweet-smelling gas. It is used as a mild anesthetic, often called laughing gas. Nitrous oxide occurs naturally in the atmosphere and is a greenhouse gas. Chemical formula: N ₂ O.

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Etymology

Origin of nitrous oxide

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

"This is because gases such as nitrogen oxides and nitrous oxide are produced as part of the nitrogen cycle. These can be released into the atmosphere through conversion processes and alter or disrupt climate processes."

From Science Daily

Patients living with major depressive disorder, including those who have not improved with commonly prescribed antidepressants, may benefit from short-term nitrous oxide treatment, according to a large meta-analysis led by the University of Birmingham.

From Science Daily

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

From Science Daily

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

From Barron's

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

From BBC