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