nitrate

views updated May 14 2018

ni·trate / ˈnītrāt/ • n. Chem. a salt or ester of nitric acid, containing the anion NO3 or the group –NO3. ∎  sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, or ammonium nitrate, used as fertilizer: the fertilizer is usually a basic nitrate.• v. [tr.] treat (a substance) with nitric acid (typically a concentrated mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids), esp. so as to introduce nitro groups.DERIVATIVES: ni·tra·tion / nīˈtrāshən/ n.

nitrate

views updated May 21 2018

nitrate Salt of nitric acid. Nitrate salts contain the nitrate ion (NO3) and some are important, naturally occurring compounds such as saltpetre (potassium nitrate, KNO3) and Chile saltpetre (sodium nitrate, NaNO3). Nitrates are used as food preservers, fertilizers, explosives, and as a source of nitric acid. They can be an environmental hazard.

nitrate

views updated May 11 2018

nitrate A salt or ester of nitric acid. The salts contain the ion NO3.