noun
Common
nitrogen
NEYE-truh-juhn
Nitrogen (noun) means the chemical element with symbol N, a colorless, odorless gas that makes up most of Earth's atmosphere. Example: “Farmers often add fertiliser rich in nitrogen to help their crops grow.”
noun
1
The chemical element with symbol N, a colorless, odorless gas that makes up most of Earth's atmosphere.
"Farmers often add fertiliser rich in nitrogen to help their crops grow."
"By molar fraction, nitric oxide contains equal parts nitrogen and oxygen."
"All life depends on nitrogen; it is the building block from which nature assembles amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids; the genetic information that orders and perpetuates life is written in nitrogen ink."
— Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma (2006)
"Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the air we breathe."
"Plants need nitrogen from the soil to grow properly."
How to use nitrogen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe invisible gas that fills most of the air around us and is essential for plant growth.
Common pairings
liquid nitrogen
nitrogen gas
nitrogen cycle
nitrogen fixation
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Word forms
- Plural
- nitrogens
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Farmers often add fertiliser rich in _____ to help their crops grow.
Etymology
Borrowed from French nitrogène, coined by chemist Jean-Antoine Chaptal in 1790 from "nitro-" plus "-gen" ("producing").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for nitrogen
See all rhymes for 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.
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