nitroglycerin

noun

ni·​tro·​glyc·​er·​in ˌnī-trə-ˈgli-s(ə-)rən How to pronounce nitroglycerin (audio)
variants or nitroglycerine
: an oily explosive poisonous liquid C3H5N3O9 used chiefly in making dynamite and in medicine as a vasodilator

Examples of nitroglycerin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In announcing the award, the Swedish organization noted its namesake had been prescribed nitroglycerin for heart disease. Michael S. Rosenwald, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023 Through a series of experiments, Dr. Murad discovered that nitroglycerin releases nitric oxide, which relaxes smooth muscle cells. Michael S. Rosenwald, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023 Read full article Doctors had been prescribing nitroglycerin for angina and other heart ailments for over a century — including, coincidentally, to Alfred Nobel, who founded the Nobel Prizes. Clay Risen, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023 Doctors had been prescribing nitroglycerin for angina and other heart ailments for over a century — including, coincidentally, to Alfred Nobel, who founded the Nobel Prizes. Clay Risen, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2023 This is relationship nitroglycerin, folks, so handle it at your own risk. Seth Rogen, USA TODAY, 24 May 2023 William Friedkin adapted the story, about four desperate men who agree to risk their lives to transport gallons of nitroglycerin in dangerously-unsafe conditions across the jungles of Latin America, for his 1977 cult film Sorcerer. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2023 Those with cardiac issues should pack nitroglycerin tablets or spray, along with aspirin. Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2023 This is love laced with racial nitroglycerin. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nitroglycerin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nitroglycerin was in 1852

Dictionary Entries Near nitroglycerin

Cite this Entry

“Nitroglycerin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitroglycerin. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nitroglycerin

noun
ni·​tro·​glyc·​er·​in
variants or nitroglycerine
: an oily explosive poisonous liquid used chiefly in making dynamite and in medicine to relax blood vessels

Medical Definition

nitroglycerin

noun
ni·​tro·​glyc·​er·​in
variants or nitroglycerine
: a heavy oily explosive poisonous liquid C3H5N3O9 used chiefly in making dynamites and in medicine as a vasodilator (as in angina pectoris)

called also trinitrin, trinitroglycerin

see nitro-dur, nitrostat

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