the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen compounds by certain bacteria, such as Rhizobium in the root nodules of legumes
2.
a process, such as the Haber process, in which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into a nitrogen compound, used esp for the manufacture of fertilizer
Derived forms
nitrogen-fixing (ˈnitrogen-ˌfixing)
adjective
nitrogen fixation in American English
1.
the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogenous compounds by bacteria (nitrogen fixers) found in the root nodules of legumes and certain other plants, and in the soil
2.
the conversion of free nitrogen into nitrogenous compounds of commercial value by any of various processes