nitrogen

[ nahy-truh-juh n ]
/ ˈnaɪ trə dʒən /

noun Chemistry.

a colorless, odorless, gaseous element that constitutes about four-fifths of the volume of the atmosphere and is present in combined form in animal and vegetable tissues, especially in proteins: used chiefly in the manufacture of ammonia, nitric acid, cyanide, explosives, fertilizer, dyes, as a cooling agent, etc. Symbol: N; atomic weight: 14.0067; atomic number: 7; density: 1.2506 g/l at 0°C and 760 mm pressure.

Origin of nitrogen

From the French word nitrogène, dating back to 1785–95. See nitro-, -gen

Words nearby nitrogen

nitrochloroform, nitrocotton, nitrofuran, nitrofurantoin, nitrogelatin, nitrogen, nitrogen balance, nitrogen base, nitrogen cycle, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen distribution

Example sentences from the Web for nitrogen

British Dictionary definitions for nitrogen

nitrogen
/ (ˈnaɪtrədʒən) /

noun

  1. a colourless odourless relatively unreactive gaseous element that forms 78 per cent (by volume) of the air, occurs in many compounds, and is an essential constituent of proteins and nucleic acids: used in the manufacture of ammonia and other chemicals and as a refrigerant. Symbol: N; atomic no: 7; atomic wt: 14.00674; valency: 3 or 5; density: 1/2506 kg/m³; melting pt: –210.00°C; boiling pt: –195.8°C
  2. (as modifier)nitrogen cycle

Medical definitions for nitrogen

nitrogen
[ nī′trə-jən ]

n. Symbol N

A nonmetallic element that constitutes nearly four fifths of the air by volume, occurring as a colorless, odorless, almost inert diatomic gas, N2, in various minerals and in all proteins. Atomic number 7.

Scientific definitions for nitrogen

nitrogen
[ nī′trə-jən ]

N

A nonmetallic element that makes up about 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume, occurring as a colorless, odorless gas. It is a component of all proteins, making it essential for life, and it is also found in various minerals. Nitrogen is used to make ammonia, nitric acid, TNT, and fertilizers. Atomic number 7; atomic weight 14.0067; melting point -209.86°C; boiling point -195.8°C; valence 3, 5. See Periodic Table. See Note at oxygen.

Cultural definitions for nitrogen

nitrogen

A chemical element that makes up about four-fifths of the atmosphere of the Earth. Its symbol is N.

notes for nitrogen

Like carbon, nitrogen is a necessary element in the tissues of living things.