denitrification
|de-ni-tri-fi-ca-tion|
/diˌnaɪtrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
removal of nitrogen compounds
Etymology
'denitrification' originates from French, specifically the word 'dénitrification,' where 'dé-' meant 'removal' and 'nitrification' referred to the process of forming nitrates.
'dénitrification' was adopted into English in the late 19th century as 'denitrification,' and eventually became the modern English word.
Initially, it meant 'removal of nitrogen or nitrogen compounds,' and over time it evolved into its current scientific meaning of 'the microbial process of reducing nitrates to nitrogen gas.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process by which bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas, thus removing nitrogen from the soil or water.
Denitrification is an important step in the nitrogen cycle.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/07 21:51