nitrous oxide

noun

: a colorless gas N₂O that when inhaled produces loss of sensibility to pain preceded by exhilaration and sometimes laughter, that is used especially as an anesthetic in dentistry and as a fuel, and that is an atmospheric pollutant and greenhouse gas produced by combustion

called also laughing gas

compare nitric oxide

Examples of nitrous oxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Canisters of nitrous oxide were also found inside the car after the incident, per the release. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024

Why has only half been spent? L.A. wants to ban using nitrous oxide to get high. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024

Tottenham Hotspur have suspended midfielder Yves Bissouma for their Premier League opening match against Leicester City after footage emerged of him appearing to inhale nitrous oxide. —Jay Harris, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024

Risk of addiction: People who use nitrous oxide regularly are more likely to become psychologically dependent. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

nitrous oxide

noun

: a colorless gas that when inhaled causes loss of the ability to feel pain and sometimes produces laughter and is used especially in dentistry

called also laughing gas

Medical Definition

nitrous oxide

noun

: a colorless gas N₂O that when inhaled produces loss of sensibility to pain preceded by exhilaration and sometimes laughter and is used especially as an anesthetic in dentistry

called also laughing gas