noun
1. the chemical process in which a nitro group is added to an organic compound (or substituted for another group in an organic compound)
• Derivationally related forms: ↑nitrify
• Hypernyms: ↑chemical process, ↑chemical change, ↑chemical action
2. the oxidation of ammonium compounds in dead organic material into nitrates and nitrites by soil bacteria (making nitrogen available to plants)
• Derivationally related forms: ↑nitrify
• Topics: ↑plant, ↑flora, ↑plant life
• Hypernyms: ↑oxidation, ↑oxidization, ↑oxidisation
Useful english dictionary. 2012.