nitrogen oxide

noun

: any of several oxides of nitrogen most of which are produced in combustion and are considered to be atmospheric pollutants: such as
a
: nitric oxide
b
: nitrogen dioxide
c
: nitrous oxide

Examples of nitrogen oxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This often takes the form of gas turbines, which are less efficient than big power plants and can not only bring hefty climate impacts but also health costs, due to harmful air pollution, including nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 The system sucks up nearly 100% of cancer-causing diesel particulates and 95% of nitrogen oxide. — Micheline Maynard, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 It can also be equipped with an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system that reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 70 percent to meet IMO Tier III regulations. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 Burning natural gas produces nitrogen oxides, which mix with volatile organic compounds in high heat to form ground-level ozone. — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nitrogen oxide

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nitrogen oxide was in 1868

Rhymes for nitrogen oxide

See All Rhymes for nitrogen oxide

Browse Nearby Words

nitrogenous
nitrogen oxide
nitrogen pentoxide
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nitrogen oxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrogen%20oxide. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

nitrogen oxide

noun
: any of various oxides of nitrogen: as
a
: nitrogen dioxide
b
: nitrous oxide

More from Merriam-Webster on nitrogen oxide

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nitrogen oxide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All