ammonium nitrate

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, NH 4 NO 3 , usually produced by reacting nitric acid with vaporous ammonia: used chiefly in explosives, fertilizers, freezing mixtures, and in the manufacture of nitrous oxide.

ammonium nitrate

noun

1. a colourless highly soluble crystalline solid used mainly as a fertilizer and in explosives and pyrotechnics. Formula: NH 4 NO 3

ammonium nitrate

1. A colorless crystalline salt used in fertilizers, explosives, and solid rocket propellants. Chemical formula: NH 4 NO 3 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of ammonium nitrate¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Nontraditional flavors ammonium nitrate, C-4, and gelignite did not test well.

From The Daily Beast

Ammonium nitrate is extremely common, and pretty dangerous, and also extremely useful.

From The Daily Beast

Astralit (Wetter): ammonium nitrate explosive containing some blasting gelatine.

From Project Gutenberg

Ammonite: Favier type; ammonium nitrate 75, dinitronaphthalene or other nitro-body, salt 20.

From Project Gutenberg

Poudre Blanche Cornil: ammonium nitrate, alkali nitrate, nitronaphthalene, lead chromate.

From Project Gutenberg

In the first class 74 are included sulphur and ammonium nitrate; monotropy is exhibited by aragonite and calcite.

From Project Gutenberg

Sal ammoniac or ammonium nitrate when dissolved in water produce a much more marked cooling effect than does table salt.

From Project Gutenberg