noun
Uncommon
nitrate
NEYE-trayt
Nitrate (noun) means a chemical compound formed from nitric acid, commonly used in fertilizers and preservatives. Example: “Runoff from nitrate fertilizer can pollute nearby rivers.”
noun
1
A chemical compound formed from nitric acid, commonly used in fertilizers and preservatives.
"Runoff from nitrate fertilizer can pollute nearby rivers."
"Some processed meats contain sodium nitrate as a preservative."
verb
1
To treat a substance with nitric acid or a nitrate compound.
"The cellulose was nitrated to produce an early type of photographic film."
How to use nitrate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA nitrogen-based compound found in fertilizers, food preservatives, and industrial chemistry.
Common pairings
nitrate fertilizer
nitrate levels
sodium nitrate
nitrate pollution
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like nitrate.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- nitrates
- Third person singular
- nitrates
- Past tense
- nitrated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Runoff from _____ fertilizer can pollute nearby rivers.
Etymology
Borrowed from French nitrate, built on "nitre" (an old name for saltpeter).
Rhymes for nitrate
See all rhymes for nitrate →Frequently asked questions
What does “nitrate” mean?
The word “nitrate” means a chemical compound formed from nitric acid, commonly used in fertilizers and preservatives. In plain terms, a nitrogen-based compound found in fertilizers, food preservatives, and industrial chemistry.
How do you pronounce “nitrate”?
“Nitrate” is pronounced NEYE-trayt (/ˈnaɪˌtɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “nitrate” in a sentence?
Here is “nitrate” used in a sentence: “Runoff from nitrate fertilizer can pollute nearby rivers.”
What part of speech is “nitrate”?
Depending on how it is used, “nitrate” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “nitrate” come from?
The word “nitrate” comes from French. Borrowed from French nitrate, built on "nitre" (an old name for saltpeter).
Is “nitrate” a common word?
“Nitrate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “nitrate” have?
“Nitrate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a chemical compound formed from nitric acid, commonly used in fertilizers and preservatives.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include nitrate:
