nitroglycerin

noun

ni·​tro·​glyc·​er·​in ˌnī-trə-ˈgli-s(ə-)rən How to pronounce nitroglycerin (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See all Example Sentences for nitroglycerin 

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nitroglycerin was in 1852

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
: a heavy oily explosive poisonous liquid C3H5N3O9 used chiefly in making dynamites and in medicine as a vasodilator (as in angina pectoris)

called also trinitrin, trinitroglycerin

see nitro-dur, nitrostat

More from Merriam-Webster on nitroglycerin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!