ammonia

[uh-mohn-yuh, uh-moh-nee-uh]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, pungent, suffocating, highly water-soluble, gaseous compound, NH 3 , usually produced by the direct combination of nitrogen and hydrogen gases: used chiefly for refrigeration and in the manufacture of commercial chemicals and laboratory reagents.

2. Also called ammonia water. Also called aqueous ammonia,. Also called ammonia solution,. this gas dissolved in water; ammonium hydroxide.

ammonia

/ -njə, əˈməʊnɪə /

noun

1. a colourless pungent highly soluble gas mainly used in the manufacture of fertilizers, nitric acid, and other nitrogenous compounds, and as a refrigerant and solvent. Formula: NH 3

2. a solution of ammonia in water, containing the compound ammonium hydroxide

ammonia

1. A colorless alkaline gas that is lighter than air and has a strongly pungent odor. It is used as a fertilizer and refrigerant, in medicine, and in making dyes, textiles, plastics, and explosives. Chemical formula: NH ₃ .

Word History and Origins

Origin of ammonia¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from New Latin, so called as being obtained from sal ammoniac ( def. ); ammoniac

Word History and Origins

Origin of ammonia¹

C18: from New Latin, from Latin ( sal ) ammōniacus (sal) _ammoniac ¹

Example Sentences

One day after it was reported that the NFL banned ammonia inhalants, the league clarified that while teams can no longer supply them, players can supply their own.

From Los Angeles Times

The ammonia gas irritates the nasal membranes, causing a reflex that increases breathing and heart rate.

From Los Angeles Times

Smelling salts - a pungent mix of ammonia, water and ethanol - are marketed as improving mental alertness or boosting energy.

From BBC

Their theory is that the ammonia is absorbed by a vast body of water below .

From BBC

In comparison, the most environmentally friendly fuels like e-kerosene and ammonia are created from initially splitting water atoms to obtain hydrogen, which is a very energy-intensive and costly process.

From BBC