nitrify definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

ni·tri·fy [ ntrə f ] (past and past participle ni·tri·fied, present participle ni·tri·fy·ing, 3rd person present singular ni·tri·fies)

transitive verb

Definition:

1. biochemistry oxidize ammonia ions: to oxidize ammonia ions into nitrite or nitrate ions, as nitrobacteria do

2. chemistry treat something with nitrogen: to treat or combine something with nitrogen or nitrogen compounds

3. agriculture fertilize soil: to introduce nitrogen or nitrogen compounds into the soil in order to increase fertility

[Early 19th century. < French nitrifier< nitre (see niter)]

ni·tri·fi·ca·tion [ ntrəfi káysh'n ] noun

ni·tri·fi·er [ ntrə fr ] noun