nitrate
word
Definition
Nitrate is a chemical compound containing nitrogen and oxygen, often found in fertilizers, food preservatives, and naturally in soil and water.
Usage & Nuances
Highly formal and technical; used in scientific, agricultural, and environmental contexts. Common collocations: 'nitrate levels', 'sodium nitrate', 'nitrate pollution'. Not related to 'nitrite', which is a different compound.
Example Sentences
Farmers use nitrate as a fertilizer to help plants grow.
basic
High nitrate levels in water can be harmful to health.
basic
Some processed meats contain added nitrate as a preservative.
basic
They tested the soil and found a lot of nitrate, which explained the strong plant growth.
natural
Drinking water with too much nitrate can be a problem, especially for babies.
natural
There's growing concern about nitrate pollution from farms getting into rivers, harming fish and wildlife.
natural