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

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

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 notes

In plain EnglishA nitrogen-based compound found in fertilizers, food preservatives, and industrial chemistry.

Common pairings

nitrate fertilizer nitrate levels sodium nitrate nitrate pollution

Word forms

nitrated past tense, nitrates plural, nitrates singular

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Runoff from _____ fertilizer can pollute nearby rivers.

Etymology

Borrowed from French nitrate, built on "nitre" (an old name for saltpeter).

Origin: French

Rhymes for nitrate

ate date rate mate fate abate slate plate state grate create update

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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.

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