nitrogen tetroxide

noun

: a colorless toxic gas N₂O₄ that is a dimer of nitrogen dioxide and that in liquid form is used as an oxidizer in rocket engines

Examples of nitrogen tetroxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The spacecraft was already loaded with nitrogen tetroxide, or NTO, the volatile, toxic oxidizer used by Dragon’s control thrusters in combination with hydrazine fuel. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026

For example, the company traced the helium leaks to valve problems — specifically, degradation that occurred after exposure to nitrogen tetroxide, the oxidizer in Starliner's propulsion system. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Fuels such as nitrogen tetroxide and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine are toxic and corrosive, while liquid hydrogen and oxygen must be stored at extremely low temperatures, posing risks of leakage, brittleness in metals, and explosive vaporization. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025

The four propellant tanks on Blue Ghost are arranged in a diagonal configuration, with two containing hydrazine fuel and two holding an oxidizer called nitrogen tetroxide. — Ars Technica, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nitrogen tetroxide

• hydroxide
• monoxide