noun

nitro

NYT-roh

Nitro (noun) means Short for nitroglycerin, especially as an explosive or as heart medication. Example: “The doctor prescribed nitro tablets for his chest pain.”

noun

Short for nitroglycerin, especially as an explosive or as heart medication.

"The doctor prescribed nitro tablets for his chest pain."

Casual name for nitrous oxide, or the system that injects it into a car engine for a speed boost — also used for a similar speed-boost feature in racing video games.

"He hit the nitro button and shot past the other cars."

"Adding nitro to a car engine can boost horsepower significantly."

A beer infused with nitrogen gas to give it a smoother, creamier head.

"The bar started serving a nitro stout on tap."

How to use nitro

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA short, informal form of several nitrogen-related words — nitroglycerin, nitrous oxide, or nitrogen gas — depending on context.

Common pairings

nitro boost nitro tank nitro stout

Word forms

nitros plural

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The doctor prescribed _____ tablets for his chest pain.

Etymology

Shortened from "nitrocellulose," a term tied to early gunpowder manufacturing.

Frequently asked questions

What does “nitro” mean?

The word “nitro” means short for nitroglycerin, especially as an explosive or as heart medication. In plain terms, a short, informal form of several nitrogen-related words — nitroglycerin, nitrous oxide, or nitrogen gas — depending on context.

How do you pronounce “nitro”?

“Nitro” is pronounced NYT-roh (/ˈnaɪtɹəʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “nitro” in a sentence?

Here is “nitro” used in a sentence: “The doctor prescribed nitro tablets for his chest pain.”

What part of speech is “nitro”?

“Nitro” is a noun.

How many meanings does “nitro” have?

“Nitro” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: short for nitroglycerin, especially as an explosive or as heart medication.