nitrogen dioxide

noun

: a toxic reddish brown gas NO2 that is a strong oxidizing agent, is produced by combustion (as of fossil fuels), and is an atmospheric pollutant (as in smog)

Examples of nitrogen dioxide 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.
These include volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde, air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, consumer chemicals such as bisphenol A, and herbicides such as atrazine. Brad Reisfeld, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025 Straight channels lead to circular sensor regions that turn red in the presence of nitrogen dioxide. IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2013 In addition to smoke and soot, the space agency detected large plumes of harmful gases emanating from the wildfires, including lung-irritating nitrogen dioxide and cancer-causing formaldehyde. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025 The researchers suggest that these white lights arise due to a combination of heating in the ionosphere due to the surrounding aurora, as well as the chemiluminescence of some other gases in the atmosphere, possibly nitrogen dioxide. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nitrogen dioxide

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nitrogen dioxide was in 1869

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nitrogen dioxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrogen%20dioxide. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

nitrogen dioxide

noun
: a reddish brown poisonous gas that is an air pollutant formed from automobile exhausts

Medical Definition

nitrogen dioxide

noun
: a poisonous strongly oxidizing reddish brown gas NO2

More from Merriam-Webster on nitrogen dioxide

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!