nitrogen
pronunciation
How to pronounce nitrogen in British English:
UK [ˈnaɪtrədʒən]
How to pronounce nitrogen in American English:
US [ˈnaɪtrədʒən]
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- Noun:
- a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues
Word Origin
- nitrogen (n.)
- 1794, from French nitrogène, coined 1790 by French chemist Jean Antoine Chaptal (1756-1832), from comb. form of Greek nitron "sodium carbonate" (see nitro-) + French gène "producing," from Greek -gen "giving birth to" (see -gen). The gas was identified in part by analysis of nitre. Earlier name (1772) was mephitic air, and Lavoisier called it azote (see azo-).
Example
- 1. This radioactive form of nitrogen does not occur in nature .
- 2. Nitrogen and argon gas are popular choices for wine preservation .
- 3. Agriculture 's third basic input is nitrogen .
- 4. Shell uses nitrogen enriched gasoline to help keep engine parts clean .
- 5. Electric power plants that burn fossil fuels release hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides .