nitrification
|ni-tri-fi-ca-tion|
/ˌnaɪtrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
conversion of ammonia to nitrates
Etymology
'nitrification' originates from French, specifically the word 'nitrification', where 'nitrifier' meant 'to nitrite' and '-ation' denoted an action or process.
'nitrification' was borrowed from French 'nitrification' in the 19th century and became the modern English word 'nitrification'.
Initially, it meant 'the process of forming nitrates', and over time it evolved into its current scientific meaning of 'the biological conversion of ammonia to nitrites and nitrates'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the biological process by which ammonia is converted into nitrites and then nitrates by bacteria in the soil.
Nitrification is an important step in the nitrogen cycle.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/07 12:13