nitrite

[ nahy-trahyt ]

noun

1. Chemistry. a salt or ester of nitrous acid.
2. Nutrition. sodium nitrite.

nitrite

/ ˈnaɪtraɪt /

noun

1. any salt or ester of nitrous acid

nitrite

/ nī′trīt′ /

1. A salt or ester of nitrous acid, containing the group NO 2 . Nitrites are an important component of the nitrogen cycle and are used as food preservatives.
2. Compare nitrate

Word History and Origins

Origin of nitrite¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; nitr- + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

She was prescribed a sodium bicarbonate infusion, but was instead given a sodium nitrite infusion.

From BBC

Troye Sivan, “Rush” Better hope your VCR doesn’t need cleaning soon, because this song cleared stores of amyl nitrite.

From Los Angeles Times

The ash enriched the seawater, especially with nitrate, nitrite and ammonium, tasty sources of nitrogen for all of your photosynthetic needs.

From Science Daily

Scientists have also studied poisons such as sodium nitrite, but they risk harming other species.

From Seattle Times

And in animal studies, high levels of sodium and chemical preservatives like nitrates and nitrites, found in cured meats, have been shown to increase inflammation and damage cells in the pancreas, which makes insulin.

From Seattle Times