What does nitrogen mean?
Nitrogen is the chemical element represented by the symbol N and the atomic number 7. Under ordinary conditions it is a colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume. Although it surrounds us in vast quantities, most organisms—including plants and animals—cannot use atmospheric nitrogen directly for building proteins and other essential molecules. Certain bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available forms, making nitrogen availability a major factor in agriculture, ecosystems, and the global nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen also has important industrial uses, including in fertilizers, refrigerants, and the manufacture of plastics, dyes, and explosives. The word is common in scientific, educational, environmental, agricultural, and industrial writing, while its everyday use is less frequent than that of more general terms such as air or gas.
nounNitrogen is a colorless, odorless chemical element that exists as a gas under ordinary conditions and forms about 78 percent of Earth's atmosphere. It is essential to proteins, nucleic acids, and other biological molecules, and is used industrially in fertilizers, refrigerants, and chemical products.
- The chemical element nitrogen, a colorless, odorless gas that constitutes a major part of Earth's atmosphere.
- Nitrogen in a biological, agricultural, or environmental context, especially as a nutrient or atmospheric constituent.
"The factory designed a system to capture nitrogen from the air and convert it into fertilizer."
"Crops need an adequate supply of nitrogen to support healthy growth."
"The researchers measured the amount of nitrogen in the upper atmosphere."
Usually used in the singular when referring to the chemical element; the plural is occasional and may refer to separate quantities, samples, or types of nitrogen.
"The laboratory compared nitrogens from different atmospheric samples."
Nitrogen makes up roughly four-fifths of the air around us, yet most living organisms cannot use it directly and must obtain it through other compounds.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nitrogen come from?
The word nitrogen comes from Greek nitron, meaning niter, a naturally occurring salt used in fertilizers, combined with the element-forming suffix -gen. The term was adopted in the late 18th century, at a time when chemists were distinguishing gases such as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Related English words, including nitrate, nitrite, and nitric, all preserve the same Latin- and Greek-based chemical root associated with niter.
Related word forms
How nitrogen is actually used
In scientific and general contexts, the name normally refers to the element, often specifically to its most common gaseous form. In biology and agriculture, it commonly denotes nitrogen as a nutrient. The element symbol is N, and the atomic number is 7.
Easily confused with nitrogen
Nitrogen is the chemical element and atmospheric gas, whereas a nitrate is a compound formed from nitrogen and oxygen, commonly found in fertilizers and the soil.
Nitrogen is the chemical element itself, while a nitrite is a nitrogen- and oxygen-containing compound often used in food preservation.