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nitrous

noun
ni·​trous | \ ˈnÄ«-trÉ™s How to pronounce nitrous (audio) \

Definition of nitrous

 (Entry 1 of 2)

informal
: nitrous oxide He began huffing nitrous by the case, causing vivid hallucinations.— David Peisner

nitrous

adjective

Definition of nitrous (Entry 2 of 2)

archaic
: of, relating to, or containing niter

Examples of nitrous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 Actually, nitrous is making a comeback in U.S. maternity circles. — Marie Mccullough, Philly.com, "Laughing gas makes a comeback for women in labor - like Kate Middleton," 16 May 2018 The Birth Center in Bryn Mawr charges patients $25 to try nitrous, and $250 to use it at will during labor. — Marie Mccullough, Philly.com, "Laughing gas makes a comeback for women in labor - like Kate Middleton," 16 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nitrous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of nitrous

Noun

1977, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1583, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for nitrous

Adjective

New Latin nitrosus, from Latin, full of natron, from nitrum natron — more at niter

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More Definitions for nitrous

nitrous

adjective
ni·​trous | \ ˈnÄ«-trÉ™s How to pronounce nitrous (audio) \

Medical Definition of nitrous

: of, relating to, or containing nitrogen especially with a lower valence than in corresponding nitric compounds

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