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

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

nitroglycerin

noun

ni·​tro·​glyc·​er·​in

variants or nitroglycerine

ˌnī-trə-ˈglis- (ə-)rən 

: 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

ˌnī-trə-ˈglis-(ə-)rən 

: 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