plural nitrates
1
: a salt or ester of nitric acid
2
: sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate used as a fertilizer
3
: any of several nitric-acid esters of cellulose : nitrocellulose
especially
: a product (such as celluloid film) made from cellulose nitrate
In the case of the Clark Gable Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), the nitrate original was destroyed before anyone noticed the transferred soundtrack was out of sync. —
Roy Hemming
Roy Hemming Examples of nitrate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, the museum has a range of photos, some of which are nitrate film collections and have chemicals that need to be temperature controlled, Pierce said.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
The pollutant, called nitrate, is also associated with low birth weight in infants whose mothers consumed affected water during pregnancy, according to the study, published on Wednesday in PLOS Water.
—The Hill, 25 June 2025
Taking a dose before breakfast may increase the absorption of nitrates, but studies have not proved this.
—Md Published, Verywell Health, 5 June 2025
As nitrate contamination threatens the well-being of rural residents, there is an urgent need for policymakers to reimagine the EPA's role in protecting these communities.
—Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nitrate
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Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
The pollutant, called nitrate, is also associated with low birth weight in infants whose mothers consumed affected water during pregnancy, according to the study, published on Wednesday in PLOS Water.
—The Hill, 25 June 2025
Taking a dose before breakfast may increase the absorption of nitrates, but studies have not proved this.
—Md Published, Verywell Health, 5 June 2025
As nitrate contamination threatens the well-being of rural residents, there is an urgent need for policymakers to reimagine the EPA's role in protecting these communities.
—Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nitrate
Cite this Entry
“Nitrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://x0upouf933.proxynodejs.usequeue.com/dictionary/nitrate. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nitrate
noun
ni·trate
ˈnī-ˌtrāt 
-trət
1
: a chemical compound formed by the reaction of nitric acid with another substance
2
: nitrate of sodium or potassium used as a fertilizer
Medical Definition
nitrate
noun
ni·trate
ˈnī-ˌtrāt, -trət
: a salt or ester of nitric acid
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