From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishRelated topics: Compoundsnitrateni‧trate /ˈnaɪtreɪt, -trət/ noun [countable, uncountable]HCCTASused in the name of substances containing nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrates are often used to improvesoilpotassium nitratehigh levels of nitrates in drinking waterExamples from the Corpusnitrate• Does it complete the nitrogen cycle, ie. convertnitrate into nitrogen?• Changes can be reduced by good filtration, which will remove ammonia and nitrite, and even nitrate.• Essentially the bacteria change the harmful ammonia and nitrites that are produced into harmlessnitrates that are useful to living plants.• Brunner-Mond came to Billingham for the anhydride deposits which it could process into nitrates.• The question of introducingnitrateprotectionzones got seriousconsideration only through the Nitrate Coordination Group in 1987.• But, with heavierstocking, even grassleaches more nitrate.• The smile appears forced, unsteady, seems to quaver, though it is frozen in silvernitrate.• But that very nitrate is sustaining the algae.Originnitrate(1700-1800)Frenchnitrique; → NITRIC ACID