nitrogen
4 synonyms for nitrogen, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The chemical element with symbol N, a colorless, odorless gas that makes up most of Earth's atmosphere.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use nitrogen
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
liquid nitrogen
nitrogen gas
nitrogen cycle
nitrogen fixation
Etymology
Borrowed from French nitrogène, coined by chemist Jean-Antoine Chaptal in 1790 from "nitro-" plus "-gen" ("producing").
Full origin of nitrogen →Frequently asked questions
What does “nitrogen” mean?
The word “nitrogen” means the chemical element with symbol N, a colorless, odorless gas that makes up most of Earth's atmosphere. In plain terms, the invisible gas that fills most of the air around us and is essential for plant growth.
How do you pronounce “nitrogen”?
“Nitrogen” is pronounced NEYE-truh-juhn (/ˈnaɪ.tɹə.d͡ʒən/ in IPA).
How do you use “nitrogen” in a sentence?
Here is “nitrogen” used in a sentence: “Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the air we breathe.”
What is another word for “nitrogen”?
Words with a similar meaning to “nitrogen” include azote, E941 when used as a packaging gas and propellant.
What part of speech is “nitrogen”?
“Nitrogen” is a noun.
Where does the word “nitrogen” come from?
The word “nitrogen” dates back to around 1790 and comes from French. Borrowed from French nitrogène, coined by chemist Jean-Antoine Chaptal in 1790 from "nitro-" plus "-gen" ("producing").
Is “nitrogen” a common word?
“Nitrogen” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between nitrogen and oxygen in the air we breathe?
Nitrogen makes up most of Earth's atmosphere but is largely inert, meaning it does not readily react in the lungs or bloodstream. Oxygen, though a smaller share of the air, is the gas the body actively uses for respiration.
Why is nitrogen used to fill packaged snack bags?
Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless gas that does not react with food, so it displaces oxygen inside a bag and slows spoilage. It also cushions items like chips, which is why bags of snacks often appear puffed up with gas.
Is nitrogen safe to breathe on its own?
Nitrogen itself is not toxic, but breathing pure nitrogen with no oxygen present can quickly cause unconsciousness because the body needs oxygen, not nitrogen, to function. This is why nitrogen gas is handled carefully in enclosed industrial spaces.
