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
1
Short for nitroglycerin, especially as an explosive or as heart medication.
"The doctor prescribed nitro tablets for his chest pain."
2
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."
3
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- nitros
Fill the gap
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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.
