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nitrification
noun
ni·tri·fi·ca·tion
ˌnī-trə-fə-ˈkā-shən
Examples of nitrification in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Together, the two stages form an important step (called nitrification) in the nitrogen cycle that operates on Earth.
—Jacek Krywko, Ars Technica, 13 Sep. 2023
The authors of the study examined a specific step in the marine nitrogen cycle, called nitrification, in which microorganisms convert one form of nitrogen, ammonium, into nitrate, a form plants and other marine microorganisms require to survive.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 22 Dec. 2010
Biological processes like soil nitrification, wildfires, and lightning also produce NO₂, but research on Earth suggests that these sources provide far less of the overall total than anthropogenic sources—namely the burning of fossil fuels.
—Meghan Herbst, Wired, 4 Mar. 2021
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Word History
First Known Use
1798, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near nitrification
Cite this Entry
“Nitrification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrification. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
nitrification
noun
ni·tri·fi·ca·tion
ˌnī-trə-fə-ˈkā-shən
: the process of combining, mixing, or filling with nitrogen or one of its compounds
especially
: the oxidation (as by bacteria) of ammonium salts to nitrites and then to nitrates
Medical Definition
nitrification
noun
ni·tri·fi·ca·tion
ˌnī-trə-fə-ˈkā-shən
More from Merriam-Webster on nitrification
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nitrification
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