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Nitrate: meaning, definitions and examples

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nitrate

 

[ ˈnaɪtreɪt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

chemical compound

Nitrate is a chemical compound that contains the nitrate ion, NO3-. It is widely used in fertilizers and agriculture due to its rich nitrogen content. Nitrates are soluble in water and are crucial for plant growth as they serve as a primary source of nitrogen. However, high levels of nitrates can lead to water pollution and health issues in humans and animals. They can also convert into nitrites, which are more harmful.

Synonyms

nitrate ion, nitrated compound

Examples of usage

  • Fertilizers often contain nitrates to enhance crop yield.
  • High nitrate levels in drinking water can be dangerous.
  • The presence of nitrates in soil improves its fertility.

Translations

Translations of the word "nitrate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 nitrato

🇮🇳 नाइट्रेट

🇩🇪 Nitrat

🇮🇩 nitrida

🇺🇦 нітрат

🇵🇱 azotan

🇯🇵 硝酸塩

🇫🇷 nitrate

🇪🇸 nitrato

🇹🇷 nitrat

🇰🇷 질산염

🇸🇦 نترات

🇨🇿 dusičnan

🇸🇰 dusičnan

🇨🇳 硝酸盐

🇸🇮 nitrat

🇮🇸 nítarat

🇰🇿 нитрат

🇬🇪 ნიტრატი

🇦🇿 nitrat

🇲🇽 nitrato

Word origin

The word 'nitrate' comes from the Latin word 'nitras', which means 'soda' or 'nitre', combined with the suffix '-ate' used in chemical nomenclature to denote the presence of oxygen in an ion. Nitrates were historically associated with the production of gunpowder and explosives in the 18th century. The study of nitrates became significant with the advancement of agricultural practices in the 19th century, when their role in plant nutrition was recognized. Their chemical structure was established in the early 20th century as part of a broader understanding of chemical compounds. Today, nitrates are crucial in various industries, especially agriculture, and environmental studies focus on their impact on ecosystems.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,874 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.