nitrogen
noun
ni·tro·gen
ˈnī-trə-jən 
: a nonmetallic chemical element with atomic number 7 that under standard conditions is a colorless, odorless, inert gas, that constitutes 78 percent of the Earth's atmosphere, and that is used especially in the industrial synthesis of ammonia, as a component of inert atmospheres, and in liquid form as a refrigerant
—often used before another noun
the nitrogen cycle
nitrogen fertilizer
see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of nitrogen in a Sentence
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Building up a database To make the cosmic dust, Losurdo started with nitrogen, carbon dioxide and acetylene — a colorless, odorless gas made up of carbon and hydrogen.
—
Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
In this setup, qubits are encoded in the electrons of nitrogen atoms and the nuclear states of carbon atoms within the diamond lattice.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
Among its most surprising features are elevated levels of nitrogen, which suggest that massive stars may have formed and evolved more rapidly in the dense early universe than current models predict.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026
If the plants have adequate sunlight and aren't being overwatered, pale or yellow leaves can indicate a lack of nitrogen.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nitrogen
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Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
In this setup, qubits are encoded in the electrons of nitrogen atoms and the nuclear states of carbon atoms within the diamond lattice.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
Among its most surprising features are elevated levels of nitrogen, which suggest that massive stars may have formed and evolved more rapidly in the dense early universe than current models predict.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026
If the plants have adequate sunlight and aren't being overwatered, pale or yellow leaves can indicate a lack of nitrogen.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nitrogen
Cite this Entry
“Nitrogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrogen. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nitrogen
noun
ni·tro·gen
ˈnī-trə-jən
: a colorless tasteless odorless element that occurs as a gas which makes up 78 percent of the atmosphere and that forms a part of all living tissues see element
Medical Definition
nitrogen
noun
ni·tro·gen
ˈnī-trə-jən
: a common nonmetallic element that in the free form is normally a colorless odorless tasteless insoluble inert diatomic gas comprising 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume and that in the combined form is a constituent of biologically important compounds (as proteins, nucleic acids, and alkaloids) and hence of all living cells as well as of industrially important substances (as cyanides, fertilizers, dyes, and antibiotics)
—symbol N
see Chemical Elements Table
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