ni·trate (nī'trāt', -trĭt)
n.

1. The univalent radical NO₃ or a compound containing it, as a salt or an ester of nitric acid.
2. Fertilizer consisting of sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate.

tr.v., -trat·ed, -trat·ing, -trates.
To treat with nitric acid or a nitrate, usually to change (an organic compound) into a nitrate.

nitration ni·tra'tion n.
nitrator ni'tra'tor n.

---

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

---