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
Deli meats are often preserved with nitrates and nitrites, which can convert into carcinogenic compounds inside the body.
—Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Manure from CAFOs can contaminate groundwater with nitrates, which have been linked to several health problems.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
The predominant narrative among many springs scientists, advocates and government officials is that rising nitrate levels in springs over the past few decades fuels the growth of excess algae.
—Christopher F. Meindl, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Instead, opt for deli meats that contain natural nitrates and nitrites and natural additives (such as plant extracts or organic acids like lactate) that can help fight the growth of harmful bacteria.
—Laura Schober, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nitrate
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Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Manure from CAFOs can contaminate groundwater with nitrates, which have been linked to several health problems.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
The predominant narrative among many springs scientists, advocates and government officials is that rising nitrate levels in springs over the past few decades fuels the growth of excess algae.
—Christopher F. Meindl, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Instead, opt for deli meats that contain natural nitrates and nitrites and natural additives (such as plant extracts or organic acids like lactate) that can help fight the growth of harmful bacteria.
—Laura Schober, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nitrate
Cite this Entry
“Nitrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrate. Accessed 17 Oct. 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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