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
Over centuries, bacteria broke down ammonia in guano, converting it into nitrates that accumulated in cave soil.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The study also said there is a higher risk for certain cancers and birth defects when excessive nitrates are consumed.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
Particulate matter is made up of chemicals such as sulfates and nitrates.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Many silent films were lost because they were printed on highly volatile nitrate film stock, according to Newsday.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nitrate
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Scott Travers, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The study also said there is a higher risk for certain cancers and birth defects when excessive nitrates are consumed.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
Particulate matter is made up of chemicals such as sulfates and nitrates.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Many silent films were lost because they were printed on highly volatile nitrate film stock, according to Newsday.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 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 22 Apr. 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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