nitrification

[ nahy-truh-fi-key-shuh n ]
/ ˌnaɪ trə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

the act of nitrifying.

Origin of nitrification

First recorded in 1820–30; nitr- + -i- + -fication

Words nearby nitrification

nitric oxide, nitridation, nitride, nitriding, nitriding steel, nitrification, nitrifier, nitrify, nitrifying bacteria, nitrile, nitrile rubber

Example sentences from the Web for nitrification

British Dictionary definitions for nitrification

nitrification
/ (ˌnaɪtrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən) /

noun

the oxidation of the ammonium compounds in dead organic material into nitrites and nitrates by soil nitrobacteria, making nitrogen available to plants See also nitrogen cycle
  1. the addition of a nitro group to an organic compound
  2. the substitution of a nitro group for another group in an organic compound

Medical definitions for nitrification

nitrification
[ nī′trə-fĭ-kā′shən ]

n.

The oxidation of an ammonia compound into nitric acid, nitrous acid, or any nitrate or nitrite, especially by the action of bacteria.
The treatment or combination of a substance with nitrogen or compounds containing nitrogen.

Scientific definitions for nitrification

nitrification
[ nī′trə-fĭ-kā′shən ]

The process by which bacteria in soil and water oxidize ammonia and ammonium ions and form nitrites and nitrates. Because the nitrates can be absorbed by more complex organisms, as by the roots of green plants, nitrification is an important step in the nitrogen cycle.