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nitroglycerin
noun
ni·tro·glyc·er·in
ˌnī-trə-ˈgli-s(ə-)rən
variants
or nitroglycerine
: an oily explosive poisonous liquid C3H5N3O9 used chiefly in making dynamite and in medicine as a vasodilator
Examples of nitroglycerin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When the glycerol is mixed with nitric and sulfuric acid the result is explosive nitroglycerin.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Oct. 2024
On Bluesky, one user asked for instructions on how to make nitroglycerin out of common household chemicals and received several enthusiastic responses from bots detailing the steps, although several bots provided different recipes, none of which may be wholly accurate.
—Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 18 Sep. 2024
Start with Alfred Nobel’s dynamite, the first explosive to unlock the staggering — but unstable — energy potential of nitroglycerin.
—Steven Johnson, New York Times, 17 May 2024
Medications, such as nitroglycerin, may also be prescribed on a temporary or ongoing basis.
—Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 13 Aug. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
1852, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near nitroglycerin
Cite this Entry
“Nitroglycerin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitroglycerin. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
nitroglycerin
noun
ni·tro·glyc·er·in
variants
or nitroglycerine
: an oily explosive poisonous liquid used chiefly in making dynamite and in medicine to relax blood vessels
Medical Definition
nitroglycerin
noun
ni·tro·glyc·er·in
variants
or nitroglycerine
More from Merriam-Webster on nitroglycerin
Nglish: Translation of nitroglycerin for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nitroglycerin
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