noun
ammonia
uh-MOH-nih-uh
noun
1
A colorless gas made of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH3), known for its sharp, unpleasant smell.
"The lab filled with the sharp sting of ammonia."
"Ammonia is a key ingredient in many industrial fertilizers."
2
A water-based solution of this gas, commonly used as a household cleaning agent.
"She wiped down the windows with a cloth soaked in ammonia."
How to Use Ammonia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe strong-smelling chemical used in cleaning products and fertilizer.
Common mistake
Never mix ammonia with bleach — it creates toxic gas. Don't confuse with ammonium, which is a related but different, positively charged particle.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
ammonias plural
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Etymology
Named after the Latin sal ammoniacus, "salt of Ammon" — the substance was first collected near a temple to the Egyptian god Ammon.