nitrite

/ˌnaɪˈtraɪt/

Other forms: nitrites

Definitions of nitrite

1. noun

   the radical -NO2 or any compound containing it (such as a salt or ester of nitrous acid)
   types:

   sodium nitrite

   nitrite used to preserve and color food especially in meat and fish products; implicated in the formation of suspected carcinogens

   type of:

   chemical group, group, radical

   (chemistry) two or more atoms bound together as a single unit and forming part of a molecule