noun
nitro
NYT-roh
noun
1
Short for nitroglycerin, especially as an explosive or as heart medication.
"The doctor prescribed nitro tablets for his chest pain."
2
Casual name for nitrous oxide, or the system that injects it into a car engine for a speed boost — also used for a similar speed-boost feature in racing video games.
"He hit the nitro button and shot past the other cars."
"Adding nitro to a car engine can boost horsepower significantly."
3
A beer infused with nitrogen gas to give it a smoother, creamier head.
"The bar started serving a nitro stout on tap."
How to Use Nitro
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short, informal form of several nitrogen-related words — nitroglycerin, nitrous oxide, or nitrogen gas — depending on context.
Common pairings
nitro boost
nitro tank
nitro stout
Word Forms
nitros plural
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Etymology
Shortened from "nitrocellulose," a term tied to early gunpowder manufacturing.