nitrification

noun

ni·​tri·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌnī-trə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

: the oxidation (as by bacteria) of ammonium salts to nitrites and the further oxidation of nitrites to nitrates

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

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

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 

: the oxidation (as by bacteria) of ammonium salts to nitrites and the further oxidation of nitrites to nitrates