English · Science & Technology
nitrogen cycle
/ˈnaɪ.trə.dʒən ˈsaɪ.kəl/
[/ˈnaɪ.trə.dʒən ˈsaɪ.kəl/]
movement of nitrogen
Advancednoun
Definition
The natural process by which nitrogen moves between the air, soil, plants, and animals.
Example
Bacteria in the soil play a key role in the nitrogen cycle that helps plants grow.
Bacteria in the soil play a key role in the nitrogen cycle that helps plants grow.
Etymology
Combining 'nitrogen' (from Greek 'nitron' plus '-gen', producing) and 'cycle'.
How & Where It’s Used
Studied in biology and agriculture to understand soil fertility.